Salem, MA — The House of the Seven Gables hosts what promises to be a fascinating evening with Carlo DeVito, author of “Wreck of the Whale Ship Essex: The Extraordinary and Distressing Memoir That Inspired Herman Meville’s Moby-Dick.” The special lecture is at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28.
The book itself is a creative and compelling production filled with art, photographs, maps and images of artifacts. It includes and expands on Owen Chase’s early memoir. Chase was first mate on the ill-fated American whaling ship Essex that was attacked and sunk by a sperm whale in the Southern Pacific Ocean in 1820. Melville read Chase’s memoirs, published shortly after the ship’s demise. The book also contains excerpts from other related memoirs as well as perspectives offered by historians and others.
DeVito is owner of Warren Street Books. He is a lifelong New York City publishing executive with more than 20 years experience in trade publishing at Simon & Schuster, Penguin and other publishing houses. He has written more than 15 books and he publishes an acclaimed wine blog. DeVito is also the owner of the Hudson-Chatham Winery, one of Columbia County’s most lauded vineyards. He and his work have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Smithsonian magazine and many other publications.
Admission for the Saturday afternoon lecture at The House of the Seven Gables is $7 for nonmembers; members are admitted free of charge. Those interested may call 978-744-0991, ext. 104, for reservations or email groups@7gables.org. Space is limited and advance reservations are recommended. The House of the Seven Gables is located at 115 Derby St., Salem, Mass. Parking is available.
About The House of the Seven Gable Settlement Association
The mission of the House of the Seven Gables Settlement Association is to preserve the National Historic Landmark and leverage its power as an icon of American culture to engage diverse audiences and provide educational opportunities for our local immigrant community.
