Daniel Defoe

An Humble Proposal to the People of England Daniel Defoe

Daniel Defoe (/dænjl dfo/; c. 1660 - 24 April 1731), born Daniel Foe, was an English trader, writer, journalist, pamphleteer, and spy. He is most famous for his novel Robinson Crusoe; only the bible has been printed in more languages. Defoe is noted for being one of the earliest proponents of the novel, as he helped to popularize the form in Britain with others such as Samuel Richardson, and is among the founders of the English novel. He was a prolific and versatile writer, producing more than five hundred books, pamphlets, and journals on various topics including politics, crime, religion, marriage, psychology, and the supernatural. He was also a pioneer of economic journalism.