The family name was Hathorne. He probably added the w in his early twenties.

His ancestor John Hathorne judged at the Salem witch trials.

The first 2,500 copies sold out within ten days.

People in Salem protested at how he showed them in The Custom-House.

The story takes place in the Massachusetts Bay Colony from 1642 to 1649.

Moby-Dick was for him

Herman Melville dedicated Moby-Dick to Hawthorne in 1851.

For all its success, the book earned Hawthorne only $1,500 over fourteen years.

The 2010 film Easy A was partly inspired by the novel.

The Scarlet Letter

Surprising facts

1/8
He added a W
The family name was Hathorne. He probably added the w in his early twenties.
Source
2/8
A witch trial judge
His ancestor John Hathorne judged at the Salem witch trials.
Source
3/8
Sold out in ten days
The first 2,500 copies sold out within ten days.
Source
4/8
Salem was annoyed
People in Salem protested at how he showed them in The Custom-House.
Source
5/8
Set in the 1640s
The story takes place in the Massachusetts Bay Colony from 1642 to 1649.
Source
6/8
Moby-Dick was for him
Herman Melville dedicated Moby-Dick to Hawthorne in 1851.
Source
7/8
Only $1,500
For all its success, the book earned Hawthorne only $1,500 over fourteen years.
Source
8/8
A modern comedy
The 2010 film Easy A was partly inspired by the novel.
Source