Herman Melville

Herman Melville Biography

Herman Melville (August 1, 1819 – September 28, 1891) was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet during the American Renaissance period. Born in New York City, he was the third of eight children. His father, a prosperous merchant, died when Melville was 12, leaving the family in financial distress. This hardship led Melville to various jobs, including teaching and clerking, before he embarked on a seafaring life.

In 1839, Melville became a sailor on a merchant ship, and later joined the whaling ship Acushnet in 1841. His adventures at sea, including his time spent among the Typee natives in the Marquesas Islands, greatly influenced his writing. These experiences were fictionalized in his early successful novels, Typee (1846) and Omoo (1847).

Melville's most renowned work, Moby-Dick, was published in 1851. Initially, it received mixed reviews and was not commercially successful. However, it has since become a cornerstone of American literature, celebrated for its complex narrative and profound themes. Other notable works include Bartleby, the Scrivener (1853) and Billy Budd, Sailor, which was published posthumously in 1924.

Despite his literary contributions, Melville struggled with recognition during his lifetime and faced financial difficulties. He worked as a customs inspector in New York City for 19 years. Melville passed away on September 28, 1891, in relative obscurity. It was only in the early 20th century that his work gained the acclaim it deserved, with Moby-Dick now regarded as one of the greatest American novels.

Trivia About Herman Melville

• Melville's novel Moby-Dick was inspired by his experiences on the whaling ship Acushnet and the real-life sinking of the whaleship Essex.
• He was a contemporary and acquaintance of Nathaniel Hawthorne, to whom he dedicated Moby-Dick.
• Melville's first book, Typee, was a bestseller during his lifetime, unlike Moby-Dick, which gained popularity posthumously.
• He worked as a customs inspector in New York City for nearly two decades, a job he held longer than any other.

Famous Quotes by Herman Melville

• "It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation."
• "Call me Ishmael."
• "I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I'll go to it laughing."

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who was Herman Melville?

Herman Melville was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet, best known for his novel Moby-Dick.

What are some of his notable works?

Some of Melville's notable works include Typee, Omoo, Moby-Dick, Bartleby, the Scrivener, and Billy Budd, Sailor.

Was Melville famous during his lifetime?

Melville gained early success with his novels Typee and Omoo, but later works, including Moby-Dick, were not commercially successful during his lifetime. His work gained significant recognition only after his death.

Related Literary Movements

Herman Melville is associated with the American Renaissance and Romanticism, particularly Dark Romanticism, exploring complex themes of human nature and society.

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