John DeWolf (sea captain)
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John DeWolf (6 September 1779 - 6 March 1872), also known as John D'Wolf, John D'Wolfe, John DeWolfe, John DeWolf II, Norwest John or Nor'west John, was a sea captain, merchant, and businessman known for his role in the maritime fur trade in the Pacific Northwest, and his influence on the Russian-American Company in Novo-Arkhangelsk (today Sitka, Alaska) in Russian America, and for being an uncle of Herman Melville. Melville was inspired by DeWolf's stories, including an encounter with a large whale that contributed to Melville's Moby-Dick, which Melville describes explicitly in Moby Dick, "Chapter XLV: The Affidavit".[1] "Captain D'Wolf" is also described in the same chapter.[2] John DeWolf was the first American known to have travelled overland across Siberia,[3] and probably the first person ever to circumnavigate the globe by way of crossing Asia overland.[4][5]
This article's tone or style may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia. (October 2023) |
John DeWolf | |
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Born | (1779-10-06)October 6, 1779 |
Died | March 8, 1872(1872-03-08) (aged 92) |
Resting place | Forest Hills Cemetery, Jamaica Plain, Boston |
Other names | John D'Wolf |
Occupation(s) | Maritime fur trader, sea captain, and businessman |
Known for | Maritime fur trade, Russian-American Company, uncle of Herman Melville |
Notable work | A Voyage to the North Pacific and a Journey Through Siberia: More Than Half a Century Ago |
Spouse | Mary Melville |
Children | 2 |
Awards | Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame |