Herman MelvilleHerman Melville was an American author born on 1 August 1819, in New York. His parents were Allan Melvill and Maria Melvill, Scottish and Dutch decent. He belonged to a reputated family, his father was a successful merchant and his grandfathers were egarded as revolutionary heroes. Unfortunately, Herman's father died in his childhood leaving the family into distress. His elder brother Granesevoort shouldered the responsibility of business and family. Herman got basic education in Albany Academy and Albany Classical School. His interest generated in classic literature and he began writing poems, essays and short stories. In his youth, he did several jobs, he began with teaching, got unhappiness. After that he joined a ship as a cabin boy and later went on a sea voyage as a harpooner. He continued writing and his first novel, Typee, based on sea adventure was published in 1846. Moby-Dick or the Whale is his master piece creation, got recognition after his death. He died of a heart attack in 1891, in New York. His literary works - Moby-Dick or the Whale, Bartleby the Scrivener, Billy Budd Sailor and Other Stories, Benito Cereno, Typee- A Peep at Polynesian Life, The Confidence-Man, Omoo-A Narrative of Adventures in the South Seas, Redburn, Mardi, etc. Read More Read Less