Senate Resolution No. 238

BY: Senator BRESLIN

CELEBRATING the Bicentennial of the birth of
Herman Melville, American novelist, short story
writer, and poet of the American Renaissance period
who was a long-time resident of New York State,
including Lansingburgh, Albany and New York City to
be celebrated on August 3, 2019

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
those artistic individuals whose creative talents and commitment to
writing contribute to the enrichment of their community and the world,
and to pay homage to a man whose life of writing stands out as an
inspiration to others; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to celebrate the
Bicentennial of the birth of Herman Melville, American novelist, short
story writer, and poet of the American Renaissance period; this
momentous occasion will be celebrated with a Birthday Party hosted by
the Lansingburgh Historical Society on Saturday, August 3, 2019, where
they will feature a one man play, Sailing Toward My Father, featuring
Stephen Collins chronicling Herman Melville's life from youth to old age
at the Gardner Earl Chapel in Oakwood Cemetery in Troy, New York; and

WHEREAS, Herman Melville was born to Allan and Maria (Gansevoort)
Melville on August 1, 1819, in Manhattan, New York; in 1830, the family
moved to Albany, New York, where they lived first at Market Street (now
Broadway) and Steuben Street and later at 3 Clinton Square; after the
death of Allan in 1832, Maria and her children struggled financially;
when his mother could afford the tuition, Herman attended the Albany
Academy; and

WHEREAS, In the Spring of 1838, Herman Melville and his family moved
to a house on the corner of River Street (now First Avenue) and North
Street (now 114th Street) in Lansingburgh, New York; one year later, he
graduated from the Lansingburgh Academy with a degree in surveying and
engineering; and

WHEREAS, For a short period, Herman Melville taught school in both
Brunswick and East Greenbush, New York, and visited the Young Men's
Association Library in Troy; in 1839, he traveled to England on his
first sea voyage and the local newspaper, the Democratic Press,
published his first short stories entitled "Fragments from a Writing
Desk" Nos. 1 and 2 and "The Death Craft"; and

WHEREAS, From 1841-1844, Herman Melville sailed on the whaler
Acushnet, out of New Bedford, Massachusetts; during his incredible
adventure, he worked hard, but was also able to explore several islands
in the South Pacific; and

WHEREAS, Back in Lansingburgh, in 1846, his first novel, Typee,
recalled his Polynesian escapades and his subsequent work, Omoo, issued
in 1847, which covered additional adventures as a sea rover; Herman
Melville continued to write from his studio along the Hudson River where
he began composing the allegorical novel, Mardi; and


WHEREAS, Herman Melville married Elizabeth Shaw, daughter of
prominent Massachusetts jurist, Lemuel Shaw, in 1847, and the entire
extended family settled in a brownstone house at 103 Fourth Street (now
Fourth Avenue) in Manhattan; in 1849, he released the largely
autobiographical novel, Redburn, based on his initial voyage 10 years
earlier; and

WHEREAS, In 1850, Herman Melville and his wife relocated to
Pittsfield, Massachusetts, acquiring an old farm on Holmes Road known as
Arrowhead; it was here, that he completed Moby Dick (or The Whale) which
was published in 1851; he also wrote Pierre, White Jacket, Israel
Potter, and The Confidence Man, and some remarkable short stories, most
notably "Bartleby, The Scrivener" and "Benito Cereno" both of which
appeared in his book, The Piazza Tales; and

WHEREAS, In 1863, Herman Melville returned to Manhattan, purchasing
his brother's house at 60 (later 104) East 26th Street; this house
served as his residence until his death on September 28, 1891, and was
subsequently sold by his wife soon thereafter; even though the house was
demolished in 1912, the block is commemorated by a sign reading "Herman
Melville Square"; and

WHEREAS, During his final years in Manhattan, Herman Melville
published four books of poetry, Battle Pieces (1866), Clarel (1876),
John Marr and Other Sailors (1888), and Timoleon (1891); he also
composed Billy Budd, which was not published until 1924; and

WHEREAS, Three additional upstate New York communities, while not
Herman Melville's official residences, played significant roles in his
life; while a Lansingburgh resident, he visited his Van Schaick cousins
across the river in Cohoes, New York, and spent time on Peebles Island
in Waterford, New York; he also made many trips to the home of his
mother and sisters in the Town of Northumberland in Saratoga County; and

WHEREAS, It is important to recall and honor individuals such as
Herman Melville, longtime New York State resident, whose legendary
talent has entertained readers for almost 200 years, recognizing their
valued contributions and publicly acknowledging their endeavors which
have enhanced the basic humanity among us all; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the Bicentennial of the birth of Herman Melville, American
novelist, short story writer, and poet of the American Renaissance
period; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Lansingburgh Historical Society.