I am looking to identify the name of an author who was a great
portrayer of life at sea and the indivuduals who devoted themselves to
a life on the ocean waves. He was born in Eastern Europe, his father
was sent into Siberian exile for his involvement in a failed
insurrection. He became an excellent sailor and sailed a variety of
English and French craft as captain at age 29. Who is he?

Hello Padishah,

The author you’re referring to is Joseph Conrad.


He was born in Eastern Europe:

“Joseph Conrad, [Korzeniowski, Jozef Teodor Konrad] (1857-1924).
Author and merchant seaman, Joseph Conrad was born in Podolia in the
Ukraine, the only child of Polish parents, Apollo Korzeniowski and
Evelina Bobrowski.”

====================

His father was sent into Siberian exile for his involvement in a
failed insurrection:

“The Korzeniowskis were vocal opponents of the Russian involvement in
their country; they were exiled to Volgoda in northern Russia after
the nationalist insurrection in 1863.”

====================

He became an excellent sailor:

“Always fascinated by life at sea, in 1874, Conrad, aged 17, and ran
away to Marseilles, against his uncle’s wishes, to begin a 20-year
career as a sailor and merchant seaman.  Conrad’s literary career
began with his first novel, Almayer’s Folly (1895), which he was
writing while still a seaman. On the publication of this first novel,
Conrad settled in England for the remainder of his life, making his
living as an author.”

====================

The author who was a great portrayer of life at sea and the
individuals who devoted themselves to a life on the ocean waves:

“Many of Conrad’s early novels and short stories display the influence
of his sea-going career on his vision as an author.”

Source:
Napier University - Professor Alistair McCleery
http://www.pmpc.napier.ac.uk/scob/conrad.html


The excerpt below illustrates that he was sailing as the captain of
the ship when he was 29 years old.

“After being wounded in a duel or of a self-inflicted gunshot in the
chest, Conrad continued his career at the seas for 16 years in the
British merchant navy. He rose through the ranks from common seaman to
first mate, and by 1886 he obtained his master mariner's certificate,
commanding his own ship, Otago. In the same year he was given British
citizenship and he changed officially his name to Joseph Conrad.”

Source: Classic Reader Website
http://www.classicreader.com/author.php/aut.16/


Additional information that may interest you:

A list of works by Joseph Conrad can be found at the Amazon Website
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/ref=s_sf_b_as/002-7789571-7981607


Search Criteria:

Seaman and popular author of sea stories
Joseph Conrad


I hope you find this helpful.

Best Regards,
Bobbie7-ga