Considered to be one of the greatest American writers, Herman Melville is best known for his novels of the sea, especially Moby Dick (1851) and Billy Budd, the latter of which was published posthumously in 1924. Melville's most significant works outside of Moby Dick include the short stories that he wrote during this time period, including Bartleby the Scrivener (1853) and Benito Cereno (1855). Earlier works include the bestselling Typee (1846) and Omoo (1847). The final novel that Melville would publish during his lifetime was The Confidence Man (1857).
Melville was heavily influenced by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author of The Scarlet Letter (1850). The two men lived near each other in...
