Daniel Defoe

c.1659 – 24 April 1731. English writer, journalist, pamphleteer, today mainly known as author of one of the first English novels, Robinson Crusoe (1719).

Early life

Daniel Defoe was born in London circa 1659 in London. His father was tallow chandler belonging to the so-called groups of Dissenters (separated from the church) and sent his son to study in an academy at Newenton Green kept by Reverend Charles Morton. There he received an extensive education which boosted his abilities and imagination for writing which was his passion. Although they wanted him to serve the Presbyterian ministry, Defoe refused this and decided to work as merchant. In this period he traveled a lot in trading and making money, something which rewarded him both personally and economically. During this time though he went through a series of setbacks which dampened his moral and affected his later works.In 1962 he went bankrupt due to the losses for sustaining the insuring ships during the war with France, although he had been honest with his debtors he was reported to be persued and pressed nonsensically following imprisonment. This took him away from trading and a great shock. He married Mary Tuffley in 1684, the daughter of a Dissenter merchant.They were married during 47 years (till Defoe´s dead) and they had a total eight children.

Turn to politics

Defoe´s interest of engaging in politics somehow had been growing the last years so he started to write pamphlets, the first one published dating from 1683. He was reported to have joined the rebellion of Manmouth and managed to escape alive after the Battle of Sedgemor. Defoe supported William III reign working for him as his offcial pamphleteer. In writing his very famous poem "The True-born Englishman in 1703 he criticized the racial prejudice. The second major upset came when the Tories took power, these being very severe with dissenters, and Defoe wrote one of his most remarkable works called "Shortest-Way with the Dissenters"(1702) in which he was very ironic in religious and political issues, something which reported him big sales but big problems too. In 1703 he was prosecuted for libel , arrested and taken before the law who allegedly treated him badly, fined him and finally sentenced him to the pillory. This did not prevent him from writing since he wrote the poem "Hymn to the Pillory"(1703) as a way of criticizing his unfair position. Later the Earl of Oxford called Robert Harley bailed his release in exchange of Defoe working for him as pamphleteer and intelligence agent. A series of journeys to Scotland compelled him to write "Tour Through the Whole Island of Great Britain". He also managed to release a four-weekly periodical for a long time called "Review". In this periodical he discussed current affairs dealing with morals manners, religion, etc. this periodical may have an influence on the later periodicals like "The Tatler" or "The Spectator".

Latest years

In 1719 and already with a waning health, he wrote one of his most remarkable works and perhaps the most famous, a prose fiction called "Robinson Crusoe" having inspiration on the memoirs of the castway Alexander Silkirk. In 1722 he wrote another prose fiction novel called "Moll Falnders" and in 1724 he wrote "Roxana". These three works have in common thet they explore the human nature and psychological processes in a remarkable way maybe trying to reflect the misfortunes of his life. The rumors about Defoe´s doings had been many, ranging from double-dealing or dishonest conduct to having unpaid debts, being a betrayer by shifting sides (Tories , Whigs) ect, which seemed to provide him many enemies as well as misfortune and disgrace. All in all his figure was rendered enigmatic by his life but his works have not remained unnoticed and he proved an invaluable forerunner of the modern novel.

REFERENCES

http://www.britannica.com http://www.litencyc.com/

Article by Jonathan Villar.