Herman Melville (born Melvill) (August 1, 1819 – September 28, 1891)

A towering figure in American literature, Herman Melville is the author of
several seafaring tales, including "Billy Budd, Sailor," "Typee," and "Moby
-Dick." He is also famous for shorter works such as "Bartleby, the Scrivener"
and "Benito Cereno."

Before fame, Melville worked as a surveyor for the Erie Canal before taking
a position on the crew of a New York ship headed for Liverpool. Later, he
sailed on the whaling ship Acushnet, an experience that inspired his
masterpiece novel, Moby-Dick.