Celebrities, writers, politicians mourn Harper Lee on Twitter
The literary world lost a titan when Harper Lee died on Friday at the age of 89.
The "To Kill a Mockingbird" author sold more than 40 million copies of the book, and her second book in 2015, "Go Set a Watchman," was supposedly the fastest-selling book of all time when it was released.
Prominent figures ranging from Oprah Winfrey to Stephen King to Andrew Cuomo paid homage to the author on Twitter, citing the influence her work had on their lives.
A few stars had personal anecdotes about Lee or her work. Winfrey said that Lee was her first "favorite author," and that she wished she had been able to interview the famously private author, who declined her request.
Lin-Manuel Miranda reminisced about teaching his 7th grade English students about the book.
Harper Lee my 1st favorite author! I always wanted to interview her. She said" honey I already said everything I had to say". #RIPHarperLee
— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) February 19, 2016
Now the NYTimes confirming it. RIP Harper Lee and thank you.
— Susan Orlean (@susanorlean) February 19, 2016
"You never really understand a person... until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." Thank you, #HarperLee. pic.twitter.com/8OuUiet7IL
— Ava DuVernay (@AVAETC) February 19, 2016
So sorry to hear about Harper Lee's passing. 'To Kill a Mockingbird' was a gift to us all. https://t.co/oqDU2lOcLM pic.twitter.com/TSFPLSwPgs
— Katie Couric (@katiecouric) February 19, 2016
Sad to hear of Harper Lee's passing. She was an important novelist who created great American literature. RIP. https://t.co/tBsCgqrRiB
— Dr. Rand Paul (@RandPaul) February 19, 2016
We mourn the loss of Harper Lee, who moved a nation with her powerful portrait of racial injustice and the courage to fight for fairness.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) February 19, 2016
Let's celebrate the life of Harper Lee, who wrote an American classic and helped her friend Truman Capote write another.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) February 19, 2016
I used to teach 7th grade English.
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) February 19, 2016
Helped my kids grapple w Mockingbird, & the courage it takes to fight injustice.
Thanks, Harper Lee.
R.I.P. Harper Lee.
— Joshua Malina (@JoshMalina) February 19, 2016
T Y, Harper Lee, 4 the book that begat the film, both of which awakened the souls of just about every1, everywhere.https://t.co/793XKI53RS
— ABFoundation (@ABFalecbaldwin) February 19, 2016
RIP Harper Lee, 89. Author of one of the greatest books ever written. #ToKillAMockingBird
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 19, 2016