The author of "Moby Dick" is Herman Melville. Published in 1851, this novel has become a classic of American literature and is renowned for its complex narrative and exploration of themes such as obsession, revenge, and humanity's relationship with nature. The story follows Ishmael, a sailor on the whaling ship Pequod, under the command of the monomaniacal Captain Ahab, who hunts the elusive white whale, Moby Dick. Melville drew on his own experiences at sea to craft this story, which initially received mixed reviews but later gained significant acclaim, influencing countless writers and artists.