World Mourns Legendary Author Harper Lee, Dead At 89

One of the most important literary figures of the past century, US author and Pulitzer Prize-winner Harper Lee, author of the iconic novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, has died at the age of 89.

As reported by AL.com, Lee "passed away in her sleep" in her hometown of Monroeville, Alabama, according to a variety of sources. Lee's nephew and spokesperson for the family, Hank Conner, said, "Ms. Lee passed away in her sleep early this morning. Her passing was unexpected. She remained in good basic health until her passing.

"This is a sad day for our family. America and the world knew Harper Lee as one of the last century's most beloved authors.

"We knew her as Nelle Harper Lee, a loving member of our family, a devoted friend to the many good people who touched her life, and a generous soul in our community and our state. We will miss her dearly."

1960's To Kill A Mockingbird has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide and was adapted into an Academy Award-winning film in 1962, with Gregory Peck bringing the novel's stoic Atticus Finch to life.

Last year, after the surprising discovery of an early manuscript, Go Set A Watchman was published — initially it appeared to be a sequel to To Kill A Mockingbird, but was actually an early rejected version of the book. 

To Kill A Mockingbird, bringing light to racism and the rigid class structures in the US in the 1930s, remains highly studied in schools and universities — as such, thousands of people around the world have had some level of interaction with the book in their lifetimes.

Here are a few prominent names in the entertainment industry paying tribute to the late and great Lee.

Former blink-182 member Tom Delonge, who named his streetwear label Atticus after the book's iconic male protagonist, told Rolling Stone, "The passing of Harper Lee is a loss for all of us … Her work challenged us to think about equality, tolerance and human kindness. May she rest in peace."

When my son Henry was born, Ms. Lee signed a copy of Looking for Alaska for him with the inscription, "Welcome to the world Henry Atticus."

— John Green (@johngreen) February 19, 2016

That book is my most prized possession. Ms. Lee lived a private life, but she was quietly and extraordinarily generous.

— John Green (@johngreen) February 19, 2016

If it hadn't been such a trendy name my 3rd was gonna be Atticus. Thank you for sharing the genius #HarperLee . -Z https://t.co/c12ODk6vxw

— HANSON (@hansonmusic) February 19, 2016

"Real courage is when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what." - #HarperLee

— Noel Clarke (@NoelClarke) 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

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

Rest in peace, Harper Lee. "The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience."

— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) February 19, 2016

RIP Harper Lee. You made me believe in the power of story.

— Emily Ratajkowski (@emrata) February 19, 2016

To Kill A Mockingbird was the first book I remember reading over start to finish. It propelled me toward my love for lit. #HarperLee = icon

— Josh Gad (@joshgad) February 19, 2016

She revealed it all...the glory and the fear and the hate and the beauty.
May she rest in peace. #HarperLee pic.twitter.com/3tfSEfSejx

— Reese Witherspoon (@RWitherspoon) February 19, 2016

Harper Lee said more in one book than most of us manage in a lifetime.

— Tony Parsons (@TonyParsonsUK) February 19, 2016

"You never understand a person until u consider things from his point of view- until u climb into his skin & walk around in it."- #HarperLee

— Uzo Aduba (@UzoAduba) February 19, 2016

Please tell me this is just another Harper Lee is dead hoax

— billy eichner (@billyeichner) February 19, 2016

HARPER LEE pic.twitter.com/KzxcCJEt68

— Ariel Winter (@arielwinter1) February 19, 2016