5. Harper Lee

The author of the controversial To Kill a Mockingbird makes this list. The classic novel that was released in 1960 tackled racial injustice told by a 6 year old Scout, who was just learning what’s right and wrong.
To Kill a Mockingbird mirrors the social issues surrounding that era. Back in the ’60s, millions of African-Americans marched for equality.
Despite the massive success of her book and being a well-known author to generations, Harper chose to live a quiet life and left us with To Kill a Mockingbird as a message of hope and peace.