Herman Melville
Biography
Herman Melville (1819–1891) was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet whose masterpiece Moby-Dick is now considered one of the greatest novels in world literature. Born in New York City, Melville spent time as a sailor in the Pacific, and his early sea adventure novels brought him popular success. Moby-Dick (1851), however, baffled readers with its philosophical ambition and was a commercial failure. Melville’s reputation collapsed during his lifetime, and he died in obscurity. The “Melville Revival” of the 1920s rediscovered his genius, and Moby-Dick is now universally recognized as an American masterwork.
Common themes in Herman Melville's work
American literature
A recurring theme throughout Herman Melville's writing.
Sea adventure
A recurring theme throughout Herman Melville's writing.
Moby-Dick
A recurring theme throughout Herman Melville's writing.
Philosophical fiction
A recurring theme throughout Herman Melville's writing.
Books
Explore by genre
Other authors you may enjoy
Why Herman Melville is still read today
Melville is essential for understanding American literature. Moby-Dick is one of the most studied and admired novels in the English language. On TextStack you can read Melville’s major works free online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Herman Melville?
Herman Melville (1819–1891) was an American novelist who wrote Moby-Dick, now considered one of the greatest novels ever written despite being a commercial failure in his lifetime.
Where can I read Melville online?
You can read Moby-Dick, Typee, and Melville’s Short Fiction free online on TextStack.
Essential cookies keep you signed in and save your reading progress. Analytics cookies help us understand how the site is used. You can reject analytics — we still work without them. Learn more in our Privacy Policy.