Herman Melville is another example of a man who pursued his dream to write despite the fact that he wasn't known publicly until after his death.
Melville was born to Maria Gansevoort and Allen Melville on August 1, of 1819, in New York City. He was one of eight children. Melville would remain with his parents until the age of sixteen when he decided to go to Albany Classical School. He stayed there for only a year.
Deciding the classical school was not for him, Herman Melville moved to Pittsburgh, to work on his uncle's farm. He soon had enough of farm life and became a cabin boy on a ship bound for England.
Melville enjoyed working on a ship and found a job on a whaling ship in 1814 at the age of twenty-two. He kept this job until he fell in love with Elizabeth Shaw.
Herman Melville and Elizabeth Shaw married and settled down in 1847. They had four children: Malcolm, Stanwix, Elizabeth, and Francis.
In 1850, the couple decided to move to Pittsfield, Mass., where they met Nathaniel Hawthorne. Melville and Hawthorne became close friends.
Melville's writing career began in 1847. His first works were of his life at sea. These included: "Typee and Omoo", "Mardi and a Voyage Thither", and "Redburn: His First Voyage". He also wrote pieces for Putman's Monthly and other journals. He wrote poetry like "Battle Pieces", Timoleon", and "John Marr and Other Poems". His most famous piece is the book "Moby Dick" which he dedicated to his friend, Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Melville's life came to an end on September 28,1891. He was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Bronx, NY. His works became recognized after his death.
