Daniel Defoe 1660?-1731

Daniel DEFOE 1660?-1731

Biographical Note

Youngest son of James Foe, tallow chandler of Cripplegate. After a nonconformist education he began a career as a businessman in London, trying several trades with mixed fortunes, while suffering persecution for his religion. He went bankrupt and was imprisoned for a while but managed to restore his fortunes, while also beginning his career as a writer. He wrote verse as well as political pamphlets, and began a periodical, The Review in 1704. He continued to have mixed fortunes but also spent time as a government agent. His literary output was huge and very wide-ranging (over 300 separate works) though he is most immediately remembered for Robinson Crusoe, his first novel, published in 1719. He died in poor circumstances, pursued by creditors.

Books

Defoe's library was sold by retail sale in London, along with the library of Philipps Farewell, beginning 15 November 1731.

Sources

• Alston, R. C., Inventory of sale catalogues ... 1676-1800, St Philip, 2010.
• Librorum ex bibliothecis Philipps Farewell, D.D. & Danielis De Foe, gent., [London, 1731].
• Backscheider, Paula R. "Defoe, Daniel (1660?–1731), writer and businessman." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.