The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe (1808) (eBook)

Daniel Defoe (c. 1660 – 1731) was an English writer, journalist, and pamphleteer now most famously known for his novel 'The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe' (1719). Defoe is often credited with popularizing the novel form in Britain and is sometimes regarded as one of the founders of the English novel. His work is characterized by its narrative vividness, adventure elements, and themes of survival and individualism. 'Robinson Crusoe', which is considered his most notable work, is a fictional autobiography of the title character—a shipwrecked sailor who spends 28 years on a remote tropical island near Trinidad. The novel has been widely regarded as reflecting the colonial and imperialist values of Defoe's time, as well as tapping into the existing stories and narratives of castaways, surely an influence from his intense journalistic pursuits. Defoe's oeuvre shows a deep interest in social and political issues of his day, something that underpins much of his storytelling. His writing style is marked by its directness and attention to detail, aspects that have contributed to the enduring popularity of his works. Despite the fame of 'Robinson Crusoe', Defoe was prolific and worked in a variety of genres - he wrote more than 300 works, including novels, pamphlets, and political pieces, making him a significant figure in the development of literary culture in the early 18th century.