Herman Melville

Lewis Mumford's 1929 biography of Herman Melville traces the life and career of one of America's most significant authors. The book chronicles Melville's journey from his early days as a sailor through his emergence as a writer and his later years. This biography was written during a period of renewed interest in Melville's work, when scholars and readers were rediscovering works like Moby-Dick. Mumford examines Melville's personal correspondence, journals, and relationships with other literary figures of the time, including Nathaniel Hawthorne. The book gives particular attention to Melville's creative evolution through his major works, focusing on the period following the publication of Moby-Dick. Mumford draws connections between Melville's experiences at sea and the themes that emerged in his writing. Through this biographical study, Mumford presents Melville as a philosophical writer whose work engaged with fundamental questions about American identity, human nature, and moral truth.

Readers say this 1929 biography brought fresh insight into Melville's life after decades of neglect. The online reviews highlight Mumford's focus on Melville's psychological state and personal struggles. Readers appreciate: - Deep research into Melville's family dynamics - Analysis of how Melville's travels shaped his worldview - Documentation of his financial hardships - Connection between life events and writing themes Common criticisms: - Too much speculation about Melville's thoughts - Limited coverage of literary analysis - Outdated biographical information (newer research available) - Dense, academic writing style Average ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (43 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (12 ratings) From reviews: "Mumford makes Melville human, not just a literary figure" - Goodreads "More focused on psychoanalysis than facts" - Amazon reviewer "Still relevant despite its age, but not the definitive biography" - LibraryThing

Nathaniel Hawthorne: A Life by Brenda Wineapple The biography maps Hawthorne's connections with Melville and other transcendentalists while examining the development of his literary consciousness in nineteenth-century New England.

Emerson: Mind on Fire by Robert D. Richardson Richardson tracks Emerson's intellectual development through his journals and letters, revealing the emergence of American transcendental thought during Melville's era.

The Power of Blackness by Harry Levin This study of Hawthorne, Poe, and Melville illuminates the shared themes and cultural context that shaped these writers' approaches to American literature.

Andrew Jackson and His Indian Wars by Robert V. Remini The book provides historical context for the American expansion that influenced Melville's writing about colonialism and civilization.

Sea of Glory by Nathaniel Philbrick This account of the U.S. Exploring Expedition captures the maritime world that shaped Melville's experiences and writings.

🌟 Published in 1929, this biography played a crucial role in what became known as the "Melville Revival," helping restore the author's reputation decades after his death. 🌊 The book reveals that Melville's time as a sailor, including his escape from a Polynesian cannibal tribe, directly influenced his writing of "Typee" and other maritime adventures. 📚 When Melville died in 1891, he was working as a customs inspector in New York, largely forgotten as a writer - a stark contrast to his early success with adventure novels. 🎨 Lewis Mumford wrote this biography without access to many key documents about Melville that were later discovered, making his accurate insights even more remarkable. 🖋️ Before writing this biography, Mumford felt such a deep connection to Melville that he would regularly visit the author's grave at Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx.