Moby-Dick Author

Herman Melville | Biography

• By Stone Palmer
• Original : February 25, 2025

---

Who is Herman Melville?

Herman Melville was a prominent American novelist and poet, best known for his 1851 masterpiece, Moby-Dick. Born on August 1, 1819, in New York City, Melville's literary career was significantly influenced by his adventurous experiences at sea. Beginning in 1839, 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 literary journey continued with other works, including Pierre and The Confidence-Man, but a lack of recognition led him to a stable career as a customs inspector in New York City, where he shifted his focus back to poetry. Ultimately, Melville’s genius was only fully recognized posthumously, paving his way as one of America’s most influential writers.

Early Life and Education

Herman Melville was born in New York City on August 1, 1819, to Allan and Maria Gansevoort Melvill. His life took a challenging turn when he contracted scarlet fever in his early childhood, which left him with impaired vision. The family's fortunes had been secure due to Allan’s successful career as a high-end merchant, but financial instability set in after a failed business venture and Allan’s untimely death in 1832. With their wealth dwindling, Melville had to adapt to a life of hardship, which profoundly influenced his writing later on.

As a young man, Melville attended several schools, including Albany Academy and Albany Classical School. During these formative years, he developed a fascination for classic literature and explored his talent for writing, producing poems, essays, and short stories. His education was often interrupted by the family’s financial struggles, but Melville's persistence led him to seek opportunities beyond academia. He briefly took a teaching job in Massachusetts before realizing it was not his path. Ultimately, he decided to pursue a life at sea, which would become a significant source of inspiration for his later literary works.

Sea Voyages and Early Writing Success

Herman Melville's literary journey was profoundly shaped by his sea voyages, which provided the inspiration for many of his early works. After a series of unfulfilling jobs and a dire financial situation, he embarked on a new path as a crew member aboard the merchant ship St. Lawrence in 1839. This voyage across the Atlantic exposed him to the rich tapestry of maritime life, sparking his imaginative storytelling. His second voyage in 1841 aboard the whaling ship Acushnet took him even further into adventure, where he had harrowing experiences, including being captured by cannibals. These thrilling encounters became the foundation for his literary career.

Upon returning to the United States after his extensive travels, Melville channeled his seafaring experiences into his writing. His first published work, "Typee: A Peep at Polynesian Life" (1846), captured the imagination of readers with its vivid descriptions and thrilling narrative based on his time in the Marquesas Islands. The success of "Typee" was followed by "Omoo: A Narrative of Adventures in the South Seas" (1847), which further established his reputation as a writer. These early novels blended fact and fiction, revealing both Melville's adventurous spirit and his talent for storytelling. Through these works, he became a prominent voice in American literature, setting the stage for his later masterpieces.

Moby-Dick and Other Works

Herman Melville's literary journey is most famously marked by his landmark novel, Moby-Dick, published in 1851. Previously titled The Whale, this work showcases Melville's adept blending of narrative fiction with philosophical inquiry, drawing deeply from his profound experiences at sea. The tale follows Captain Ahab's obsessive quest for revenge against Moby Dick, an elusive sperm whale. This narrative, set against the backdrop of the whaling industry, explores themes of ambition, fate, and the struggle between man and nature, embedding Melville in the canon of American Romanticism.

In the years leading up to Moby-Dick, Melville produced several other significant works that highlight his maritime adventures and literary evolution. Titles like Typee and Omoo garnered early success, capturing the imaginations of readers with vivid depictions of Polynesian life and adventure. Following Moby-Dick, Melville continued to experiment with narrative forms, though his later works, including Pierre and The Confidence-Man, did not achieve the same commercial acclaim. Despite initial criticism and poor sales, these books laid the groundwork for Melville's enduring legacy as one of America’s greatest literary figures.

Later Years, Death and Legacy

Herman Melville's later years were marked by a shift in his creative output and professional life. In the late 1850s, he transitioned from writing novels to delivering lectures, sharing his unique perspectives on literature and life. This change coincided with his decision to take up a role as a customs inspector in New York City, a position he held for nearly two decades. During this period, Melville's literary focus turned towards poetry, leading to the publication of "Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War" in 1866, which reflected the tumultuous era of the American Civil War.

Despite the challenges he faced, Melville continued to write, and in 1876, he published "Clarel: A Poem and Pilgrimage in the Holy Land," inspired by his travels to the region. Tragically, Melville passed away from a heart attack on September 28, 1891, with much of his earlier fame having faded. However, following his death, interest in his works began to resurface, leading to reprints of his novels. By the early 1920s, Melville emerged as a significant figure in American literature, culminating in the posthumous publication of his final novel, "Billy Budd, Sailor," in 1924. Today, he is celebrated as one of America’s greatest writers, with "Moby-Dick" enduring as a quintessential part of literary study.

Personal Life: Married Life and Children

In 1847, Herman Melville married Elizabeth Shaw, the daughter of a prominent Massachusetts chief justice. Their marriage marked a significant moment in Melville's life as it brought stability and partnership amid the uncertainties that defined much of his early adulthood. Elizabeth, being an educated and supportive spouse, nurtured Melville's literary ambitions, often aiding him through the tumultuous waters of his writing career. The couple shared a deep bond, forged in mutual respect and a shared love for literature, which often reflected in their correspondence and daily life.

Melville and Elizabeth had four children together: Malvina, Stanwix, Caroline, and Percy. The family life, although filled with the challenges of Melville's fluctuating career, also brimmed with moments of joy and creativity. Their household often hosted literary discussions and exchanges that shaped Melville’s perspectives. However, financial struggles and periods of intense literary criticism took a toll on the family, but they remained a source of strength and inspiration for Melville throughout his life.

Net Worth and Earning: Earnings from Literary Works

Herman Melville's financial situation throughout his life was often precarious, greatly impacted by the fluctuating success of his literary works. During his early career, he enjoyed a brief period of financial stability with his initial novels, Typee and Omoo, which captured the imagination of readers drawn to tales of adventure and the exotic South Seas. However, despite the popularity of these earlier works, Melville's later masterpieces, particularly Moby-Dick, initially brought him little monetary gain or critical acclaim. The novel, which is now celebrated as a classic of American literature, sold poorly during Melville's lifetime, leading to significant struggles.

As his writing career progressed, Melville's financial state worsened. By the time he published works such as Pierre and The Confidence-Man, he had become virtually unknown to readers and critics alike, which hampered his ability to earn a steady income from his literary endeavors. Transitioning away from fiction, he later found a stable job as a customs inspector in New York City. It wasn’t until many years after his death that Melville’s works were rediscovered, leading to a posthumous recognition that solidified his place in literary history, although by this time, any potential earnings from his works were no longer a factor in his life.