Timeline

1851

Discover what happened in this year with HISTORY’s summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

Nov

14

Arts & Entertainment

Herman Melville publishes “Moby-Dick” in the U.S.

On November 14, 1851, Moby-Dick is published. Now considered a great classic of American literature—with one of the most famous opening lines in fiction: “Call me Ishmael”—the book about Captain Ahab and his quest to catch a giant white whale was originally a big flop.

USA: A model for Herman Melville's Moby Dick (1851). 'Capturing a Sperm Whale', coloured engraving by J. Hill, 1835, after William Page (1811-1885)

USA: A model for Herman Melville's Moby Dick (1851). 'Capturing a Sperm Whale', coloured engraving by J. Hill, 1835, after William Page (1811-1885). (Photo by: Pictures from History/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Pictures from History/Universal

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