In the heart of London, nestled along the banks of the Thames River, stood 25 Craven Street—a stately Georgian townhouse with a rich history. It was here, in the early summer of 1849, that Herman Melville found himself as a guest, seeking respite from the clamor of the city.

As Melville settled into his temporary abode, he found solace in the tranquility of Craven Street. From the window of his room, he could glimpse the gentle sway of the river, the pulse of London's maritime heartbeat.

Living at 25 Craven Street in 1849, with stays separated by a brief visit to the Continent, Melville was an indefatigable partygoer and sightseer. In his diary, he recorded seeing the Lord Mayor’s Show, a public hanging, the British Museum, the National Gallery, and London Zoo.