Daniel Defoe
Biography
Daniel Defoe, born Daniel Foe around 1660 in London, England, was an English writer, journalist, pamphleteer, and merchant. A son of a butcher, he was educated at a Dissenting academy and initially pursued a career in trade, which led to both prosperity and bankruptcy. His political activities and satirical writings, particularly 'The Shortest Way with the Dissenters' (1702), led to his arrest, imprisonment, and public humiliation in the pillory. After his release, he became a government agent and journalist, contributing to and editing various publications. He began writing fiction relatively late in life, achieving widespread fame with 'Robinson Crusoe' (1719), followed by other notable works such as 'Captain Singleton' (1720), 'Moll Flanders' (1722), and 'A Journal of the Plague Year' (1722). Defoe is widely regarded as one of the founders of the English novel.
Selected Thoughts
«All our discontents about what we want appeared to me to spring from the want of thankfulness for what we have.»
«Thus fear of danger is ten thousand times more terrifying than danger itself.»
«Necessity, mother of invention.»
Writing Style
Defoe's writing style is characterized by its realism, detailed descriptions, and journalistic precision. He often employs a first-person narrative, giving his stories an authentic and almost documentary feel, even when fictional. His prose is straightforward and unadorned, focusing on plot and character development through action rather than introspection. He masterfully creates a sense of verisimilitude, making readers believe his characters and events are real, a hallmark of early novelistic technique. He also frequently uses picaresque elements and moralistic undertones.