On this day in 1851, Harper & Brothers in New York published Moby-Dick, a novel by Herman Melville that narrates the voyage of the whaling ship Pequod.
Considered a classic of American literature today, Moby-Dick features one of the most iconic opening lines in fiction: “Call me Ishmael.”
However, initially, Captain Ahab’s pursuit of a massive white whale did not garner the success expected.
Herman Melville, born in New York City in 1819, spent part of his youth working in the merchant marines, the U.S. Navy, and aboard a whaling ship in the South Seas. In 1846, he released his debut novel, Typee, which is a romantic adventure inspired by his experiences in Polynesia. This book achieved success, followed by a sequel titled Omoo, published in 1847.
Subsequent novels were produced, many receiving varied critical and commercial responses.
Melville’s sixth publication, Moby-Dick, initially emerged in London in October 1951 as three volumes named The Whale, before being released in the U.S. a month later. Although he had assured his publisher of delivering an adventure narrative akin to his earlier hits, Moby-Dick instead became a tragic epic, partially influenced by his friend and neighbor from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Nathaniel Hawthorne, renowned for works like The Scarlet Letter.
Following the lukewarm reception of Moby-Dick, Melville persisted in creating novels, short stories (such as Bartleby), and poetry. However, since writing did not provide a steady income, he returned to New York in 1865 to work as a customs inspector, a role he maintained for 20 years.
Melville passed away in 1891, with his literary contributions largely overlooked. It wasn’t until the 1920s that scholars revived interest in his works, particularly Moby-Dick, which eventually became a staple of American high school curricula. Melville’s last novel, Billy Budd, was published in 1924, 33 years following his death.