The Life and Career of Herman Melville

Herman Melville during his time was known as the greatest writer. He was the author of many novels such as, Moby Dick, and Bartleby the Scrivener (Allen 9). Herman Millville stories were based on factual aspects in his life and the world surrounding him. Through his literature he expressed his feelings on certain political or economic issues that were occurring during the nineteenth century. In this essay I will be discussing Herman Millville’s life, his literature works and how it relates to him.

Herman Melville was born August 1, 1819 near the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, which was located at sixth Pearl Street in New York City (Miller 1). He was the second son and third child of Allan and Maria Gansevoort. His original last name was spelled Melville, he added the “E” after the death of his father (Allen 11). Herman’s father was an importer of French goods. His mother was an attractive woman; she was the daughter of General Peter Gansevoort, who was a famous American Revolutionary. Herman was baptized in South Reformed Dutch Church, on August 19, 1819(Allen 14). A few months after that, the alarum fever sickness reappeared again, which in turn forced his mother to flee to Albany, while his father stood behind in NY with his business. However, when the fever sustained she returned to NY, and discovered that Mr. Melville’s business was damaged. Therefore he had to borrow money from his family including his brother in law. From time to time his mother would go to Albany and visit because her parents lived there. Throughout Herman’s childhood he traveled back and forth between states and would visit his uncle ships. Since he was young he would hear many of his father adventurous stories on his travels, and he himself wanted to trav...

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...e, he strived to make the best of it. As many writers hope for their books to be a success, it may not always work out that way. Herman Melville felt like failure, but the very book that brought his career down, is the very same novel that is famous till today which is, Moby Dick. Herman Melville work, is one of the most life experience and insightful piece of literature ever written.

Bibliography

Allen, Gay. Melville and His World. New York: Viking, 1971. Print.

Bloom, Harold. Herman Melville’s: Billy Budd, Benito Cereno, Bartleby the Scrivener and other tales. New York: Chelsea house, 1987. Print.

Hawthorne, Nathaniel. Herman Melville. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven, 1997. Print.

Miller, James. A Reader’s Guide to Herman Melville. New York: Octagon, 1977. Print.

Puchner, Martin. The Norton Anthology of World Literature. New York: Norton Company, 2012. Print.