Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street, also called a masterpiece of short fiction, is a short story by the American writer Herman Melville. It tells about a Wall Street lawyer who hires a new clerk who, after an initial bout of hard work, refuses to make copies or do any other task required of him, refusing with the words "I would prefer not to."

Herman Melville (1819–1891), an eminent figure in American literature, is renowned for his deep exploration of the human condition and his masterful storytelling. Melville was born in New York City to a family with a faltering mercantile business, which later informed his literary work. After a brief education and various jobs, he went to sea, an adventure that provided rich material for his writing career. In his late twenties, Melville achieved early success with sea-adventure novels such as 'Typee' (1846) and 'Moby-Dick' (1851), now considered his magnum opus. However, it was with 'Bartleby, the Scrivener — A Story of Wall-Street' (1853) that Melville delivered a distinct shift from high-seas narratives to a psychological exploration set within the confines of urban civilization. This short story, with its themes of isolation and passive resistance, is a nuanced critique of the dehumanizing effects of capitalism and has been widely studied for its literary significance and enigmatic protagonist. Melville's writing is characterized by a complex narrative style and rich symbolism, often delving into the darker aspects of existence. Though his later works were met with a cooler reception, his posthumous acclaim has established him as a cornerstone of classic American literature.