Melville-a Brief assessment For twenty years before his death in 1891 Herman Melville was a forgotten man this is best reflected in a couple obituary notices a He won considerable fame as an author by the publication of a book in 1847(actually 1846) entitled Typee. . . This was his best work, although he has since written a number of other stories, which were published more for private than public circulation... During the ten years subsequent to the publication of this book he was employed at the NY custom House. -NY Daily Tribune, september 29, 1891Melville - A Brief Assessment ◼ For twenty years before his death in 1891, Herman Melville was a forgotten man. This is best reflected in a couple obituary notices: ◼ "He won considerable fame as an author by the publication of a book in 1847 (actually 1846) entitled Typee. ... This was his best work, although he has since written a number of other stories, which were published more for private than public circulation. ... During the ten years subsequent to the publication of this book he was employed at the NY Custom House." - NY Daily Tribune, September 29, 1891