Daniel Defoe

Daniel Defoe was an English writer, journalist, merchant and spy, best known for the novels Robinson Crusoe (1719), Moll Flanders (1722) and Roxana: The Fortunate Mistress (1724). Robinson Crusoe, the story of a sailor stranded alone on an island, gave its name to a whole genre of imitations, the Robinsonade. Defoe also wrote many political tracts, ran afoul of the authorities more than once, and spent time in prison. He helped popularise the novel in Britain and died in 1731.