Recluse Harper Lee to get US award

RECLUSIVE author Harper Lee is set for a rare moment in the spotlight next week after being named as one of this year’s recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Lee, the author of To Kill a Mockingbird, will be among those honoured by US President George W Bush at a ceremony at the White House on November 5.

Lee wrote just this one book — which won the Pulitzer Prize — but she has become one of the most-revered living US authors and the title is often cited as a favourite among readers.

She has occasionally written letters or essays for magazines, recently a reminiscence for O, The Oprah Magazine about learning to read in Depression-era Alabama.

She also generally refrains from interviews, but does make appearances at schools to and around her hometown of Monroeville, Alabama.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom was reinstated in 1963 to honour distinguished serviceand an individual’s “meritorious contribution” to the security or national interests of the US, world peace, culture or other endeavours.