Newsletter
Not until the early 20th century was Herman Melville's novel Moby Dick first recognized as a literary masterpiece and touted as a cornerstone of modern American literature.
Born to a New York City merchant in , Melville fought for a greatness that would not be realized during his lifetime. Melville's father supported his seven children importing French dry goods, but in he decided to try his luck in the fur business in Albany, NY. Within two years, the family was bankrupt and Herman's father died suddenly. Melville and his siblings left school to work in the family fur and cap business, with Melville working several other jobs as well -- filling in teaching positions at local schools, working on his uncle's farm, and clerking in a local bank.
Despite these difficulties, Herman Melville read extensively on his own, consuming mythology, anthropology, and history. He was fascinated with Shakespeare's poetic devices and their ability to capture an audience. He was also raised hearing the thrilling story of the whaleship Essex, which was attacked by a whale and sunk when Melville was just a yea
Herman Melville
()
Who Was Herman Melville?
Herman Melville was born in New York City in He worked as a crew member on several vessels beginning in , his experiences spawning his successful early novels Typee () and Omoo (). Subsequent books, including his masterpiece Moby-Dick (), sold poorly, and by the s Melville had turned to poetry. Following his death in New York City in , he posthumously came to be regarded as one of the great American writers.
Early Life
Melville was born in New York City on August 1, , to Allan and Maria Gansevoort Melvill (Maria added the "e" to the family name following her husband's death). In the mids, young Melville fell ill to scarlet fever, and though he regained his health not long afterward, his vision was left permanently impaired by the illness.
The family had enjoyed a prosperous life for many years due to Allan's success as a high-end importer and merchant. However, he was also borrowing heavily to finance his business interests, and after he moved the family upstate to Albany in a failed attempt to branch into the fur trade in , the family's fortune took a big hit. When Allan died suddenly in , finances dwindled
Herman Melville ( &#x; ) was a novelist, short story writer and essayist. It is said to have been the American Renaissance period during the time he wrote and published. However, Melville remained mostly unappreciated and neglected for most of his career.
Childhood and Youth
Herman Melville was born on August 1, , in New York City. His father, Allan Melville, was a merchant, and his mother was Maria Melville. He was the third of their eight children. Allan Melville spent much of his time out of New York and in Europe, as a commission merchant and an importer of French dry goods.
Both of Melville&#x;s grandfathers fought in the Revolutionary War, and Melville took pride in the fact. It was a well established and colourful family, which facilitated Allen Melville to spend beyond his means.
Melville&#x;s education began in He was sent to New York Male High School, along with his brother Gansevoort. His father described him as very backward in speech and somewhat slow incomprehension at first, but he went to make remarkable improvement soon.
In , he was transferred to Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School, and Herman enrolled in the English department.
He then w
Herman Melville | Biography
Herman Melville was a prominent American author, born in , famous for his literary works, including the timeless classic, Moby-Dick.
Who is Herman Melville?
Herman Melville was a prominent American novelist and poet, best known for his masterpiece, Moby-Dick. Born on August 1, , in New York City, Melville's literary career was significantly influenced by his adventurous experiences at sea. Beginning in , he worked on various ships, leading to the creation of his early successes, Typee and Omoo, both of which drew from his vivid adventures in the South Pacific. Despite these initial triumphs, his later works struggled commercially, and he became increasingly disillusioned with the literary world as he turned toward poetry in his later years.
Melville's magnum opus, Moby-Dick, initially received a mixed response from critics and failed to achieve commercial success during his lifetime. The novel, which narrates the obsessive quest of Captain Ahab to seek revenge on the titular white whale, is celebrated for its intricate themes and rich symbolism, reflecting Melville's deep engagement with existential questions. His l
Biographies you may also like
Anil ambani house features The Anil Ambani house is a massive 16, sq. ft. property located in an uptown locality of Western Mumbai. Situated in Pali Hill, Anil Ambani’s Abode is a storeyed .
Best biography websites In the vast landscape of the internet, biography sites stand out as portals to the lives and legacies of remarkable individuals. Whether you’re seeking inspiration, knowledge, .
Askold melnyczuk biography of abraham Biography. Melnyczuk has received a Lila Wallace Reader’s Digest grant in fiction, as well as the McGinnis Prize in fiction. His first novel was a New York Times Notable, his second was an LA Missing: abraham.
Ministerial biography A short but moving biography can quickly acquaint people with a minister. Writing it as a feature story instead of a dry reciting of bare facts adds interest. Start with a meaningful .
Biography of rene goulaine de laudonniere Rene Goulaine de Laudonnière (c. –) was a French Huguenot explorer and the founder of the French colony of Fort Caroline in what is now Jacksonville, Florida.
Book edie an american biography podcast By Michiko Kakutani EDIE. An American Biography. By Jean Stein. Edited with George Plimpton. pages. Illustrated. Alfred A. Knopf. $ EVEN the photographs in .