161st anniversary of Moby-Dick: Herman Melville’s books, work and other things to know

London: The 161st anniversary of American novelist Herman Melville’s landmark novel Moby-Dick is being marked with a white sperm whale looms on the background of the Google doodle homepages across the world.

- His life:

Herman Melville was an American novelist, short story writer, essayist, and poet.
He was born in New York City on the 1st of August 1819.
Moby-Dick; or, The Whale is a novel was written by Herman Melville, it was first published in 1851.
Moby-Dick is considered to be one of the Great American Novels and a treasure of world literature.


- About Moby-Dick:

The story of Moby-Dick tells of the adventures of wandering sailor Ishmael, and his voyage on the whaleship Pequod, commanded by Captain Ahab.

Ishmael soon learns that Ahab has one purpose on this voyage: to seek out Moby Dick, a ferocious, enigmatic white sperm whale.

In a previous encounter, the whale destroyed Ahab’s boat and bit off his leg, which now drives Ahab to take revenge.

- Death:

Herman Melville Melville died at his home in New York City early on the morning of September 28, 1891, age 72.

When he died, he was almost completely forgotten. It was not until the “Melville Revival” in the early 20th century that his work won recognition, especially Moby-Dick, which was hailed as one of the literary masterpieces of both American and world literature.

- Books:

Moby Dick; Or The Whale

Bartleby, the Scrivener – A Story of Wall-Street

The Confidence-Man

Typee, a Narrative of the Marquesas Islands

The White Jacket

Billy Budd & Other Stories (Wordsworth Classics)

Omoo

Pierre; or The Ambiguities

The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade

- Movies about Moby-Dick:

There have also been several movies created about Moby-Dick

The Sea Beast (1926) – John Barrymore as Captain Ahab

Moby Dick (1930) – John Barrymore as Captain Ahab

Moby Dick (1956) – Gregory Peck as Captain Ahab

Moby Dick  (1978) – Jack Aranson as 13 characters

Moby Dick  (1998) – Patrick Stewart as Captain Ahab

Moby Dick  (2011) – William Hurt as Captain Ahab