I and My Chimney

Herman Melville, an influential American writer of the 19th century, is best known for his iconic novel Moby-Dick, which gained significant acclaim posthumously. His works often draw from personal experiences, as seen in Typee, which reflects his time in Polynesia. Despite struggling with recognition during his lifetime, a revival in interest during the 1919 centennial of his birth solidified his status in American literature. Melville's early life was marked by financial hardship following his father's death, shaping his literary voice.