BILLY BUDD has excited the most admiration and commentary of any work by Melville except MOBY-DICK. It has the translucence and the loose weave of last works. A lifetime sifts into it. Whenever Melville ventures onto shioard, the read...

Herman Melville was born in New York City on August 1st, 1819, the third of eight children. At the age of 7 Melville contracted scarlet fever which was to permanently diminish his eyesight. At this time Melville was described as being...