illustrated portrait of American author Herman Melville

Herman Melville

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Herman Melville Biography

Herman Melville, the author of Moby Dick, certainly didn't lack for an active imagination, but many of the bawdy, swashbuckling stories that he created actually did stem from his own experiences. Born into a respected colonial family that had come upon hard times, Melville timidly began his adult life as a schoolteacher, but he quickly found that occupation too stifling. Following a dream, he set off to sea, experiencing firsthand the harsh, brutal reality of life on ocean vessels, and he even lived for a time among island cannibals. Upon his return, he embarked on a career as a writer, coloring works such as Billy Budd with details from his adventures. Often unappreciated during his lifetime, Melville is now recognized as one of America’s greatest authors.

Facts and Trivia

  • Melville sailed on at least five different ships—the Saint Lawrence, the Acushnet, the Lucy Ann, the Charles and Henry, and the United States. He ended his service on two of them by deserting.
  • Although Melville enjoyed some success as an author during his life, early novels such as Typee and Omoo were regarded simply as interesting travelogues, not the work of a serious writer.
  • Along with eleven books of fiction, Melville also wrote and published poetry. In fact, his Clarel: A Poem and Pilgrimage in the Holy Land is considered the longest poem in American literature. Some current editions of Clarel are over nine hundred pages!
  • Melville’s most celebrated work remains Moby Dick, but early readers of the novel about the giant whale were not very kind. Here is what one critic had to say in 1852: “If there are any of our readers who wish to find examples of bad rhetoric, involved syntax, stilted sentiment and incoherent English, we will take the liberty of recommending to them this precious volume of Mr. Melville’s.”
  • Fame was indeed a fickle mistress to Herman Melville. When he died in 1891, the New York Times obituaries listed his name as “Henry Melville.”

Biography

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Herman Melville, born on August 1, 1819, hailed from a family with a proud name but faced harsh financial trials. Despite the Melvilles' distinguished lineage, a series of misfortunes led to their financial collapse, profoundly affecting young Herman's worldview. His life journey from a New York merchant's son to a legendary yet unappreciated writer encapsulates a tale of resilience and literary brilliance.

Early Life and Family Struggles

Melville was born in the bustling city of New York to Allan and Maria Gansevoort Melville. His father, a once-prosperous merchant, and his mother came from a well-established family known for their affluence. However, by 1830, their financial situation took a drastic downturn, leading to bankruptcy. Allan Melville's attempts to revive his business in Albany only added to his psychological and physical ailments, culminating in his untimely death in 1832. Young Herman, just twelve at the time, was left to grapple with the emotional and financial aftermath, experiences that would heavily influence his later literary themes, particularly the fragility of mental health and societal pressures, as seen in "Bartleby the Scrivener."

Adventures at Sea

Following his father's death, Melville had to drop out of school and undertake various odd jobs to support his family. Briefly considering a career as a legal scrivener, he struggled to secure such a position. In 1839, he turned to the sea, embarking on a five-year maritime adventure. His most notable escapade occurred in 1842 when he deserted his whaling ship in the Marquesas Islands, living with a tribe in the Taipi Valley. This experience enriched his storytelling, providing a backdrop for his future novels. During his travels, he faced imprisonment by the British Consul for refusing duties, escaped Tahiti, and eventually found his way to Honolulu, where he joined the United States Naval Service. By 1844, he returned to New York, ready to explore his literary ambitions.

Literary Ascension and Challenges

The 1840s marked the beginning of Melville's prolific writing career, with novels inspired by his nautical experiences capturing public and critical acclaim. His works, such as Typee (1846) and Omoo (1847), gained him widespread popularity. In 1847, amidst his success, he married Elizabeth Shaw, connecting him to Massachusetts's elite through her father, Chief Justice Lemuel Shaw. Despite his initial acclaim, Melville soon grew restless, yearning to break free from the "man who lived among the cannibals" label. Encouraged by his friendship with Nathaniel Hawthorne, he ventured into more profound and philosophical themes with novels like Mardi (1849) and the iconic Moby Dick (1851). Though these works represented his literary apex, they were met with tepid reception, pushing him toward more experimental projects like Pierre (1852) and The Confidence Man (1857).

Decline and Personal Struggles

Melville's later works failed to resonate with the public, leading to a decline in his literary career by the late 1850s. To support his family, he turned to writing short stories for periodicals, yet the commercial and critical failure of his novels took a toll on his spirit. Encouraged by his father-in-law, Justice Shaw, Melville traveled to Europe and the Near East, seeking solace and recovery from his deepening depression. Returning to New York in 1866, he found stability as a customs inspector, a post he held for two decades. However, personal tragedy struck in 1867 when his eldest son, Malcolm, committed suicide, compounding his sorrow.

Legacy and Posthumous Recognition

Herman Melville's life ended on September 28, 1891, with him largely forgotten and embittered by his lack of success. Yet, his legacy was far from over. Among his personal papers was an unpublished novella, "Billy Budd," which saw the light of day only in 1924, receiving critical acclaim and rejuvenating interest in Melville's work. Over time, he emerged as a literary giant, celebrated for his complex narratives and explorations of human nature, with Moby Dick eventually becoming a cornerstone of American literature. Melville's journey—marked by great ambition, profound hardships, and ultimate posthumous recognition—offers a poignant reflection on the challenges and triumphs of pursuing one's artistic vision.

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