Nathaniel Hathorne, later known as Nathaniel Hawthorne, was born in Massachusetts in 1804. He was raised in a Puritan family and lost his father at a young age. Hawthorne believed his Puritan heritage caused many of his struggles in life, as he felt burdened by the sins of his ancestors. He became interested in writing after injuring his leg as a child and spending time reading. As an author, Hawthorne often explored Puritan beliefs and themes of sin and guilt in his works.