Nathaniel Hawthorne was a 19th century short story writer and novelist. The Scarlet Letter is his most famous novel. The years Hawthorne spent in England were some of his happiest and most trying. President Pierce appointed Hawthorne United States Consul at Liverpool. He held this post for four years. The time Hawthorne spent in public office gave him a chance to leave writing and observe the world. His attention to exact detail transports the reader into his life in Liverpool. Stories in this collection include The Birthmark -- Young Goodman Brown -- Rappaccini's Daughter -- Mrs. Bullfrog -- The Celestial Railroad -- The Procession of Life -- Feathertop: A Moralized Legend -- Egotism; or, The Bosom Serpent -- Drowne's Wooden Image -- Roger Malvin's Burial -- The Artist of the Beautiful
