Daniel Defoe: Biography, Facts and Career
Who is Daniel Defoe? An evergreen, sourced profile: biography, key facts and career.
Daniel Defoe ( c. 1660 – 24 April 1731) was an English writer, journalist, merchant and spy. He is famous for his novels Robinson Crusoe (1719), Moll Flanders (1722) and Roxana: The Fortunate Mistress (1724). He has been seen as one of the earliest proponents of the English novel, and helped to popularise the form in Britain with others such as Aphra Behn and Samuel Richardson. Before the end of 1719, Robinson Crusoe had already run through four editions, and it has gone on to become one of the most widely published books in history, spawning so many imitations that its name is used to define a genre, the Robinsonade. Defoe also wrote many political tracts, was often in trouble with the authorities, and spent a period in prison. Intellectuals and political leaders paid attention to his fresh ideas and sometimes consulted him.
Quick facts about Daniel Defoe
- Full name: Daniel Defoe
- Born: 1660-01-01
- Nationality: Kingdom of Great Britain
- Known as: Author
- Wikidata ID: Q40946
Profile compiled from public Wikipedia and Wikidata data. Details can change over time.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Daniel Defoe?
Daniel Defoe ( c. 1660 – 24 April 1731) was an English writer, journalist, merchant and spy.
What nationality is Daniel Defoe?
Daniel Defoe is Kingdom of Great Britain.
When was Daniel Defoe born?
Daniel Defoe was born on 1660-01-01.
Sources
More in Books & Authors
Keep reading
