(1819–91)
a US writer of novels whose early life as a sailor provided the material for many of his books, including his best-known novel, Moby-Dick . His other books include Typee (1846), Omoo (1847) and the short novel Billy Budd (1924), published after he died. Melville’s books were not popular during his life, and he died in poverty. His importance as a writer was not recognized until the 1920s.