Herman Melville

Date of Birth: August 1, 1819

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: September 28, 1891

Biography

Herman Melville was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet of the American Renaissance period. He was born in New York City on August 1, 1819. Melville is best known for his novel “Moby-Dick,” which is considered one of the greatest works of American literature. His early life was marked by financial instability following the death of his father, which led him to take various jobs, including that of a sailor. His experiences at sea greatly influenced his writing. Melville achieved early success with his first novels, “Typee” and “Omoo,” but his later works, including “Moby-Dick,” were not well received during his lifetime. He struggled with financial difficulties and obscurity in his later years, turning to poetry and short stories. Melville passed away on September 28, 1891, in New York City. Posthumously, his work gained immense recognition, and today he is celebrated as one of America’s greatest writers.

5 Interesting Facts about Herman Melville

1. Herman Melville’s novel “Moby-Dick” was initially a commercial failure and out of print at the time of his death.

2. Melville once worked as a customs inspector in New York City for nearly two decades.

3. His first book, “Typee,” was based on his experiences living among the Typee people in the Marquesas Islands.

4. Melville’s grandfather, Major Thomas Melvill, was a participant in the Boston Tea Party.

5. He traveled extensively, including voyages to the South Seas, which heavily influenced his literary works.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Herman Melville

1. “It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.”

2. “Call me Ishmael.”

3. “Ignorance is the parent of fear.”

4. “To the last, I grapple with thee; from hell’s heart, I stab at thee; for hate’s sake, I spit my last breath at thee.”

5. “A whale ship was my Yale College and my Harvard.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Herman Melville did not achieve significant financial success during his lifetime. At the time of his death, he had little in the way of monetary wealth. His highest net worth was modest, reflecting his struggles with financial instability.

Children

Herman Melville had four children with his wife, Elizabeth Shaw Melville. Their names were: 1. Malcolm Melville 2. Stanwix Melville 3. Elizabeth “Bessie” Melville 4. Frances “Fanny” Melville