Daniel Defoe

Daniel Defoe (c. 1660–1731) was a prolific English writer and journalist, often credited as one of the founders of the modern novel. Born in London to a Presbyterian family, he initially pursued a career in business and politics before turning to writing. His most famous work, The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe (1719), is considered a landmark in English literature for its detailed realism and exploration of themes such as isolation, colonialism, and human resilience. Defoe also wrote Moll Flanders (1722) and A Journal of the Plague Year (1722), which further demonstrated his skill in blending fiction with journalistic observation. Beyond fiction, he produced hundreds of pamphlets and essays on economics, religion, and politics. Defoe’s literary legacy lies in his pioneering use of first-person narrative and his ability to capture the voice of the common individual, influencing generations of novelists.