Herman Melville (1819-1891)
Romantacism and Literature
A brief Biography
Herman Melville was born on August 1, 1819 in New York City, New York to Allan Melvill and Maria Gansevoort Melville. Herman was one of Eight other siblings in his family, and his father managed to give Herman and his many brothers and sisters a good childhood and a prosperous life. Although it wasn't always smooth sailing, because in 1832 Herman's father died causing their families finances to dwindle significantly. In 1839 Melville worked as a crew member on a merchant ship called the St. Lawrence. And in 1841 Melville set sail again as a crew member aboard the Acushnet, a whaling ship and for three years he was sailing around the seas. After his voyages Herman managed to find a passion, Poetry and Writing. He was an american author of famed works such as Moby Dick (1851), Typee (1846), and its sequel Omoo (1847). Melville died on September 28th, 1891.
Common themes and subject matter
Melville's constant themes and similar topics were mainly based around exotic voyages on the Ocean, they all were Exploration Adventure novels. Herman used his own experiences to write his novels, He was good at taking his own experiences and nature then incorporating it into his works. His experiences at sea inspired Moby Dick (Aushnet; Whaling), Typee (lived with Typee natives), Omoo, and Redburn (St. Lawrence).
Herman used his experiences when working as a crew member on the frigate USS United States to write Typee, Omoo, and White-Jacket.
Moby Dick
Concept art for the cover.
Omoo
Concept art for the cover.
Typee
Concept art for the cover.
herman Melville Documentary