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Daniel Defoe and "Robinson Crusoe":
Daniel Defoe was born Daniel Foe, the son of a tallow chandler in London, probably around 1660, although his birth year is uncertain. His parents were "dissenters" -- Protestants not belonging to the Anglican Church -- and it was intended that Daniel would enter the Presbyterian ministry. But Defoe chose instead of become a businessman who, throughout his career, dealt in wine, tobacco, hosiery, and tiles, among other things. Unfortunately, his life was always plagued by debt.
In 1684, Defoe married Mary Tuffley, a woman whom he seldom mentioned in his writings. Together, they had eight children and remained married for 47 years until his death in 1731. His adult life was spent deeply involved in political schemes, and Defoe became a successful pamphleteer, such so that his activities led to exile, eventual arrest, and placement in the pillories.
Defoe's definitive works include "Captain Singleton" (1720), "Moll Flanders" (1722), "A Journal of the Plague Year" (1722), "Roxana: The Fortunate Mistress" (1724), and "The Political History of the Devil" (1726). One of the most familiar stories in the English language is that of the castaway Robinson Crusoe. It is widely agreed that Defoe modeled his protagonist after Alexander Selkirk, although the two are never known to have met. Interestingly, Defoe's famous narrative appeared in 1719, when he was nearly 60 years old, one year after Captain Woodes Rogers' second edition of his famous rescue of Selkirk was published.
Defoe produced one thousand copies of "Robinson Crusoe." So successful were the sales that within two weeks a second edition was printed. Within the year, the volume had been translated into three languages. Sequels on the life of Crusoe were to follow, including "The Farther Adventures of Robinson Crusoe" and "Serious Reflections During the Life and Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe." These, however, could not match the success of the original story. |