Melville, HERMAN

Melville, HERMAN, an American author, was born in New York city, August 1, 1819. He became a sailor, but in 1842 he deserted from a whaling-ship, owing to the captain's harsh treatment, at the Marquesas Islands. There he was kept four months as the prisoner of a savage tribe in the Typee Valley, whence he was rescued by an Australian whaler. Returning to the United States in 1846, he published Typee, a spirited account of his residence in the Marquesas, and in 1847 Omoo, a continuation of his adventures in Oceania. He also wrote tales and three volumes of poetry. He died 28th September 1891.