Richard Henry Dana Jr.
Biography
Richard Henry Dana Jr. (1815–1882) was an American lawyer, author, and politician, best known for Two Years Before the Mast (1840), his memoir of life as a common sailor. Born into a prominent Boston family, he left Harvard due to eye problems and shipped out as an ordinary seaman on a voyage around Cape Horn to California. His account of the brutal conditions of seafaring life became a classic of maritime literature and influenced reforms in sailors’ rights. Dana later became a prominent lawyer, abolitionist, and advocate for sailors and freedmen.
Common themes in Richard Henry Dana Jr.'s work
Maritime literature
A recurring theme throughout Richard Henry Dana Jr.'s writing.
American memoir
A recurring theme throughout Richard Henry Dana Jr.'s writing.
Sailors' rights
A recurring theme throughout Richard Henry Dana Jr.'s writing.
Cape Horn
A recurring theme throughout Richard Henry Dana Jr.'s writing.
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Why Richard Henry Dana Jr. is still read today
Two Years Before the Mast is one of the great works of American maritime literature. Its firsthand account of sailors’ conditions influenced real reforms and remains gripping reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Richard Henry Dana Jr.?
Richard Henry Dana Jr. (1815–1882) was an American author and lawyer, best known for Two Years Before the Mast, a classic of maritime literature.
What are his major works?
Two Years Before the Mast and To Cuba and Back. Both are available free on TextStack.
Did his book change anything?
Yes, it exposed the brutal conditions of seafaring and influenced reforms in sailors’ rights.
Where can I read Dana free?
TextStack offers Dana’s works to read free online.
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