Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) was an American author known for his contributions to the Romantic movement in literature. He was born in Salem, Massachusetts and descended from Puritan settlers. Hawthorne's most famous works include "The Scarlet Letter," "The House of Seven Gables," and "Young Goodman Brown." His writing often dealt with themes of sin, guilt, and redemption, and his use of symbolism and allegory made him a master of the form. Hawthorne's work has had a lasting impact on American literature and is still widely read and studied today.