Daniel Defoe was born Daniel Foe in London in 1660. He was educated at the Reverend James Fisher's school in Dorking, Surrey. By 1683, he was an established merchant living in Cornhill. In 1684, he married Mary Tuffley who was to bear him seven children. For some years he prospered, but in 1692, he was bankrupt and began to look for patronage to support his family.
In 1695 he added the ‘De' to his name. Two years later he published “An Essay on Projects” which brought him the attention of influential men. In 1703 he was arrested for seditious libel in one of his essays and sentenced to stand in the pillory for several days. While in prison he suffered a second bankruptcy. After his relief he worked for the Tory government through 1730. “Robinson Crusoe,” his most famous work was published in 1719. He died in 1731. | ||
Plot & Themes job/profession: Job/profession/poverty story Yes Kind of living: - general poverty story Period of greatest activity? - 1600-1899 - Subject of Biography Gender - Male Profession/status: Ethnicity - White Nationality - British Setting How much descriptions of surroundings? - 3 () Europe Yes European country: - England/UK Misc setting - prison Century: - 17th century Writing Style Book makes you feel? - thoughtful If this is a kid's book: - Age 16-Adult Pictures/Illustrations? - More 6-10 B&W How much dialogue in bio? - little dialog How much of bio focuses on most famous period of life? - 26-50% of book |