Daniel Defoe Collected editions

Daniel Defoe (c. 1660 – 1731) was an English trader, journalist, and novelist best known for Robinson Crusoe, a pioneering work of realistic fiction inspired by the story of a shipwrecked sailor surviving on a deserted island. Defoe’s meticulous attention to detail and knack for narrative suspense helped shape the emerging novel form in the 18th century.

A prolific and versatile writer, Defoe produced works on politics, economics, travel, and morality, reflecting his wide-ranging curiosity and pragmatic outlook. His other notable novels include Moll Flanders, A Journal of the Plague Year, and Captain Singleton.

Daniel Defoe’s legacy lies in his ability to combine thrilling adventure with practical realism, creating stories that continue to resonate with readers centuries later.