Late in life he turned his pen to fiction and wrote Robinson Crusoe, one of the most widely read and influential novels of all time. Having always been interested in politics, Defoe published his first literary piece, a political pamphlet, in 1683. Morton was an admirable teacher, later becoming first vice president of Harvard College; and the clarity, simplicity, and ease of his style of writing—together with the Bible, the works of John Bunyan, and the pulpit oratory of the day—may have helped to form Defoe’s own literary style. Defoe died on April 24, 1731. By inheritance and conviction he was a Dissenter in religion; by … Next morning Defoe, “guarded with about 16 gentlemen of quality,” presented the speaker, Robert Harley, with his famous document “Legion’s Memorial,” which reminded the Commons in outspoken terms that “Englishmen are no more to be slaves to Parliaments than to a King.” It was effective: the Kentishmen were released, and Defoe was feted by the citizens of London. He called trade his “beloved subject,” and it was one of the abiding interests of his life. Daniel Ellsberg strengthened public opposition to the Vietnam War in 1971 when he leaked the Pentagon Papers to the New York Times. Daniel Hale Williams was one of the first physicians to perform open-heart surgery in the United States and founded a hospital with an interracial staff. Daniel Defoe was born Daniel Foe in 1660 in London, the son of a butcher (he began to use “Defoe” more frequently beginning in 1696). DEFOE, DANIEL (1661?–1731), journalist and novelist, was born in 1660 or 1661 in the parish of St. Giles's, Cripplegate. Defoe later added the aristocratic-sounding "De" to his name, and on occasion claimed descent from the family of De Beau Faux. In reply, Defoe wrote perhaps the most famous and skillful of all his pamphlets, “The Shortest-Way With The Dissenters” (1702), published anonymously. During his lifetime he gained fame—and notoriety—for his poems, political pamphlets, and journalism. Daniel Defoe’s father, James Foe, was a Nonconformist, or Dissenter, and a fairly prosperous tallow chandler (perhaps also, later, a butcher) of Flemish descent. He was always very … Defoe graduated from an academy at Newington Green, run by the Reverend Charles Morton. Not long after, in 1683, he went into business, having given up an earlier intent on becoming a dissenting minister. Daniel Defoe (/ˌdænjəl dɨˈfoʊ/; c. 1660 – 24 April 1731),[1] born Daniel Foe, was an English trader, writer, journalist, pamphleteer, and spy, now most famous for his novel Robinson Crusoe. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. He went bankrupt in 1692 (paying his debts for nearly a decade thereafter), and by 1703, decided to leave the business industry altogether. Location of death:London, England. A handful of novels followed soon after—often with rogues and criminals as lead characters—including Moll Flanders, Colonel Jack, Captain Singleton, Journal of the Plague Year and his last major fiction piece, Roxana (1724). He traveled often, selling such goods as wine and wool, but was rarely out of debt. Daniel Defoe was born in St. Giles Cripplegate, London, the son of James Foe, a tallow chandler who later acted as an auditor for the Butchers’ Company (Daniel changed his name to Defoe … Daniel Defoe, born Daniel Foe, was an English trader, writer, journalist, pamphleteer, and spy, now most famous for his novel Robinson Crusoe. Daniel Defoe was born about 1660 in London to a poor, but hard-working butcher who was, in … His method was ironic: to discredit the highfliers by writing as if from their viewpoint but reducing their arguments to absurdity. He was born Daniel Foe to a family of Dissenters in the parish of St. Giles, Cripplegate, London; his exact birth date is unknown, but historians estimate the year to be either 1659 or 1660. Daniel Defoe, Writer: Robinson Crusoe on Mars. Daniel Defoe, (born 1660, London, Eng.—died April 24, 1731, London), English novelist, pamphleteer, and journalist, author of Robinson Crusoe (1719–22) and Moll Flanders (1722). Daniel received a very good education, as his father hoped he would become a minister2, but Daniel wasn't interested. In An Appeal to Honour and Justice (1715), he gave his own, self-justifying account of these events and of other controversies in his life as a writer. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Some of Defoe’s letters to Harley from this period have survived. Daniel Defoe, (born 1660, London, Eng.—died April 24, 1731, London), English novelist, pamphleteer, and journalist, author of Robinson Crusoe (1719–22) and Moll Flanders (1722). Daniel Defoe born Daniel Foe, was an English trader, writer, journalist, pamphleteer, and spy, most famous for his novel Robinson Crusoe.. Daniel Defoe short biography. The pamphlet had a huge sale, but the irony blew up in Defoe’s face: Dissenters and High Churchmen alike took it seriously, and—though for different reasons—were furious when the hoax was exposed. He had early thoughts of becoming a Presbyterian minister, and in the 1670s he attended the Reverend … Defoe became a merchant but went bankrupt in 1692 and left the world of business in 1703. In 1692, after prospering for a while, Defoe went bankrupt for £17,000. Gender:Male. Learn more about the novel in this article. By his middle 30s, Daniel was calling himself “Defoe,” probably reviving a variant of what may have been the original family name. He was put in the pillory for one of his seditious pamphlets. Pressure on the Dissenters increased when the Tories came to power, and violent attacks were made on them by such rabble-rousing extremists as Dr. Henry Sacheverell. It was, effectively, the main government organ, its political line corresponding with that of the moderate Tories (though Defoe sometimes took an independent stand); but, in addition to politics as such, Defoe discussed current affairs in general, religion, trade, manners, morals, and so on, and his work undoubtedly had a considerable influence on the development of later essay periodicals (such as Richard Steele and Joseph Addison’s The Tatler and The Spectator) and of the newspaper press. At age 14 Daniel was sent to a Dissenters’ academy. Daniel Defoe's early life was not easy. He attended Morton's Academy, a school for Dissentersat Newington Green with the intention of becoming a minister, but he changed his mind and became a hosiery merchant instead. Defoe is notable for being one of the earliest proponents of the novel, as he helped to popularise the form in Britain and along with others such as Richardson, is among the founders of the English novel. His works include 'The Loved One' and 'Brideshead Revisited.'. Soon after setting up in business, in 1684, Defoe married Mary Tuffley, the daughter of a well-to-do Dissenting merchant. His parents were James and Annie Foe, and his mother died when he was approximately ten years old. The second event was the Great Fire of Londonin 1666. Daniel Defoe Birth Date c. 1660 Death Date April 24, 1731 Education Academy at Newington Green Place of Birth London, United Kingdom Place of Death London, United Kingdom Full Name Daniel Defoe In 1701 five gentlemen of Kent presented a petition, demanding greater defense preparations, to the House of Commons (then Tory-controlled) and were illegally imprisoned. Julius was born on December 24 1849, in Cincinnati, Hamilton, Ohio, USA. George Orwell was an English novelist, essayist and critic most famous for his novels 'Animal Farm' (1945) and 'Nineteen Eighty-Four' (1949). Ignore the ads unless you are interested in buying. Daniel Defoe became a merchant and participated in several failing businesses, facing bankruptcy and aggressive creditors. Defoe was 59 when he published his first novel, Robinson Crusoe, which brought him lasting fame. These trips bore fruit in a different way two decades later: in 1724–26 the three volumes of Defoe’s animated and informative Tour Through the Whole Island of Great Britain were published, in preparing which he drew on many of his earlier observations. Not much is known about her, and he mentions her little in his writings, but she seems to have been a loyal, capable, and devoted wife. Defoe was clearly proud of this work, because he sometimes designated himself “Author of ‘The True-Born Englishman’” in later works. "use strict";(function(){var insertion=document.getElementById("citation-access-date");var date=new Date().toLocaleDateString(undefined,{month:"long",day:"numeric",year:"numeric"});insertion.parentElement.replaceChild(document.createTextNode(date),insertion)})(); Subscribe to the Biography newsletter to receive stories about the people who shaped our world and the stories that shaped their lives. ', English actor Daniel Day-Lewis earned Oscars for his roles in ‘My Left Foot,’ ‘There Will Be Blood’ and ‘Lincoln,' and nominations for 'Gangs of New York' and 'In the Name of the Father.'. Only three houses remained standing in Defoe's neighborhood, and o… He was born about 1660 in London to a poor, but hard-working butcher who was, in addition, a Dissenter from the Church of England. She bore eight children, of whom six lived to maturity, and when Defoe died the couple had been married for 47 years. The Foes were Dissenters, or Nonconformists, who did not believe in certain practices of the Church of England. Robinson Crusoe (/ ˈ k r uː s oʊ /) is a novel by Daniel Defoe, first published on 25 April 1719.The first edition credited the work's protagonist Robinson Crusoe as its author, leading many readers to believe he was a real person and the book a travelogue of true incidents.. Daniel Defoe, born Daniel Foe, was an English trader, writer, journalist, pamphleteer, and spy. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. We strive for accuracy and fairness. Daniel Defoe was born Daniel Foe in 1660 in London, the son of a butcher (he began to use “Defoe” more frequently beginning in 1696). The characters that Defoe created in his fiction books have been brought to life countless times over the years, in editorial works, as well as stage and screen productions. Daniel R DeFoe was born in month 1877, at birth place, Illinois, to Julius DeFoe and Susan Margaret 'Bessie' DeFoe (born Loving). Born the eldest son and third child of James and Mary Defoe, Defoe received a very good education, as his father intended him to become a Presbyterian minister, but he chose to become a merchant instead. It is likely that the prosecution was primarily political, an attempt to force him into betraying certain Whig leaders; but the attempt was evidently unsuccessful. At first a weekly, it became a thrice-weekly publication in 1705, and Defoe continued to produce it even when, for short periods in 1713, his political enemies managed to have him imprisoned again on various pretexts. English writer Evelyn Waugh is regarded by many as the most brilliant satirical novelist of his day. Daniel was well educated at a famous dissenting academy, Mr. Charles Morton’s of Stoke Newington, where many of the best-known nonconformists of the time were his schoolfellows. Daniel Defoe Daniel Defoe, the son of a butcher, was born in Londonin 1660. By his middle 30s, Daniel was calling himself “Defoe,” probably reviving a variant of what may have been the original family name. Foreign politics also engaged Defoe’s attention. Both Dissenters and “Low Churchmen” were mainly Whigs, and the “highfliers”—the High-Church Tories—were determined to undermine this working alliance by stopping the practice of “occasional conformity” (by which Dissenters of flexible conscience could qualify for public office by occasionally taking the sacraments according to the established church). Francis Bacon was an English Renaissance statesman and philosopher, best known for his promotion of the scientific method. English writer A.A. Milne is best known for his children's stories about the adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh. He appealed to Robert Harley, who, after many delays, finally secured his release—Harley’s part of the bargain being to obtain Defoe’s services as a pamphleteer and intelligence agent. Defoe was also a pioneer of business journalism and economic journalism. His family were Dissenters, Presbyterians to be precise, and those sects were being persecuted a bit at this time, so maybe Daniel had the right idea. Daniel Defoe began his career as a merchant and trader, dealing in many commodities. - 1731) was an English writer, journalist, and spy, who gained enduring fame for his novel Robinson Crusoe. Daniel Defoe (1659/1661 [?] He is also a pioneer of economic journalism. In 1685 Defoe took part in the Monmouth Rebellionand joined William IIIand his advancing army. In the mid-1720s, Defoe returned to writing editorial pieces, focusing on such subjects as morality, politics and the breakdown of social order in England. Daniel Foe (his original name) was born on 13 September, 1660, likely in Fore Street in the parish of St. Giles Cripplegate, London. When he was ten, his mother died. Daniel Defoe. Remains:Buried, Bunhill Fields Cemetery, London, England. Triumph or not, Defoe was led back to Newgate, and there he remained while his Tilbury business collapsed and he became ever more desperately concerned for the welfare of his already numerous family. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). What did bring him down, only a year or so later, and consequently led to a new phase in his career, was a religious question—though it is difficult to separate religion from politics in this period. Died:24-Apr-1731. (Daniel Defoe added the De to his original last name Foe when he was forty.) © 2021 Biography and the Biography logo are registered trademarks of A&E Television Networks, LLC. Born:Sep-1660. Defoe’s first long work of fiction, it introduced two of the most-enduring characters in English literature: Robinson Crusoe and Friday. With Defoe’s interest in trade went an interest in politics. Some of his most popular works include The True-Born Englishman, which shed light on racial prejudice in England following attacks on William for being a foreigner; and the Review, a periodical that was published from 1704 to 1713, during the reign of Queen Anne, King William II's successor. In 1701, in reply to attacks on the “foreign” king, Defoe published his vigorous and witty poem The True-Born Englishman, an enormously popular work that is still very readable and relevant in its exposure of the fallacies of racial prejudice. With few exceptions all the known events of Defoe’s life are connected with authorship. The advertisement offering a reward for his capture gives the only extant personal description of Defoe—an unflattering one, which annoyed him considerably: “a middle-size spare man, about 40 years old, of a brown complexion, and dark-brown coloured hair, but wears a wig, a hooked nose, a sharp chin, grey eyes, and a large mole near his mouth.” Defoe was advised to plead guilty and rely on the court’s mercy, but he received harsh treatment, and, in addition to being fined, was sentenced to stand three times in the pillory. He later became a writer, noted for his poems and political pamphlets. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us! Many of Defoe's works during this period targeted support for King William III, also known as "William Henry of Orange." Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. However, his exact birthdate and birth location is a matter of contest. As a Nonconformist, or Dissenter, Foe could not send his son to the University of Oxford or to Cambridge; he sent him instead to the excellent academy at Newington Green kept by the Reverend Charles Morton. )- April 1731) was an English writer, journalist and spy, who gained enduring fame for his novel Robinson Crusoe. Updates? Since the Treaty of Rijswijk (1697), it had become increasingly probable that what would, in effect, be a European war would break out as soon as the childless king of Spain died. Some of his later works include Everybody's Business is Nobody's Business (1725); the nonfiction essay "Conjugal Lewdness: or, Matrimonial Whoredom" (1727); and a follow-up piece to the "Conjugal Lewdness" essay, entitled "A Treatise Concerning the Use and Abuse of the Marriage Bed.". He dealt in many commodities, traveled widely at home and abroad, and became an acute and intelligent economic theorist, in many respects ahead of his time; but misfortune, in one form or another, dogged him continually. Daniel DeFoe was an English writer trader, and spy, best known for his novels Moll Flanders and Robinson Crusoe . In this matter Defoe may have been incautious, but he was not dishonourable, and he dealt fairly with his creditors (some of whom pursued him savagely), paying off all but £5,000 within 10 years. He wrote this serious, forceful, and long-lived paper practically single-handedly from 1704 to 1713. Socially, his position differed from that of his greatest contemporaries in literature. In 1684 he joined the army of the rebel Duke of Monmouth, but when the rebellion failed, Defoe was forced into semi-exile. Birthplace:London, England. Defoe was born in London, England, in 1660. He wrote of himself: No man has tasted differing fortunes more. Daniel Defoe, born Daniel Foe, was an English writer, journalist, and pamphleteer, who gained enduring fame for his novel Robinson Crusoe. Although miserably apprehensive of his punishment, Defoe had spirit enough, while awaiting his ordeal, to write the audacious “Hymn To The Pillory” (1703); and this helped to turn the occasion into something of a triumph, with the pillory garlanded, the mob drinking his health, and the poem on sale in the streets. Daniel Radcliffe is an English actor who rose to international stardom as Harry Potter in the series of films based on the hugely popular books by J.K. Rowling. It was true enough. Omissions? Robinson Crusoe, novel by Daniel Defoe, first published in London in 1719. While still a child Daniel witnessed the Great Plague of London, the Great Fire of London, and the 1667 Dutch raid on the Medway. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Opinions differ as to the cause of his collapse: on his own admission, Defoe was apt to indulge in rash speculations and projects; he may not always have been completely scrupulous, and he later characterized himself as one of those tradesmen who had “done things which their own principles condemned, which they are not ashamed to blush for.” But undoubtedly the main reason for his bankruptcy was the loss that he sustained in insuring ships during the war with France—he was one of 19 “merchants insurers” ruined in 1692. Daniel Foe, born circa 1660, was the son of James Foe, a London butcher. Emeritus Professor of English Literature, University of Sussex, Brighton, England. Daniel Foe, or Defoe, as he afterwards called himself, was born in or about 1659, in the parish of St. Giles, Cripplegate, London. Defoe was an acclaimed and prolific pamphleteer and journalist who wrote scabrous attacks on supporters of King William III and Queen Anne, William’s successor. English novelist, pamphleteer and journalist Daniel Defoe is best known for his novels 'Robinson Crusoe' and 'Moll Flanders.'. Also a section on studying fiction and basic literary terms. Editor of. Dan was born January 23rd 1942 to Thomas and Lillian (Kiley) DeFoe. While little is known about Defoe's personal life—largely due to a lack of documentation—Defoe is remembered today as a prolific journalist and author, and has been lauded for his hundreds of fiction and nonfiction works, from political pamphlets to other journalistic pieces, to fantasy-filled novels. Throughout William III’s reign, Defoe supported him loyally, becoming his leading pamphleteer. Early Life One of three children, Daniel Defoe was born to James Foe, a butcher, and his wife Alice, in the parish of St. Giles, Cripplegate, London about 1660. He paid several visits to Scotland, especially at the time of the Act of Union in 1707, keeping Harley closely in touch with public opinion. Defoe is notable for being one of the earliest proponents of the novel, as he helped to popularise the form in Britain and along with others such as Richardson, is among the founders of the English novel. Daniel Defoe is best known as the writer of the novels Robinson Crusoe (1719) and Moll Flanders (1722). Defoe took a new literary path in 1719, around the age of 59, when he published Robinson Crusoe, a fiction novel based on several short essays that he had composed over the years. Defoe is notable for being one of the earliest practitioners of the novel and helped popularize the genre in Britain. AKADaniel Foe. He is the author of such novels as Robinson Crusoe, Captain Singleton and Memoirs of a Cavalier. And thirteen times I have been rich and poor. Political opponents of Defoe's repeatedly had him imprisoned for his writing in 1713. Perhaps Defoe’s most remarkable achievement during Queen Anne’s reign, however, was his periodical, the Review. Daniel later changed his name to Daniel Defoe, wanting to sound more gentlemanly. Daniel Defoe was born on September 13, 1660,in London, England. Please select which sections you would like to print: While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. When the Roman Catholic James II ascended the throne in 1685, Defoe—as a staunch Dissenter and with characteristic impetuosity—joined the ill-fated rebellion of the Duke of Monmouth, managing to escape after the disastrous Battle of Sedgemoor. Defoe became a merchant but went bankrupt in 1692 and left the world of business in 1703. Three years later James had fled to France, and Defoe rode to welcome the army of William of Orange—“William, the Glorious, Great, and Good, and Kind,” as Defoe was to call him. The first was the Great Plague of Londonin 1665, where 70,000 people died. Daniel Defoe Also known as Daniel Foe Occupation Merchant, Poet, Journalist, Novelist, Pamphleteer, Spy Born 13 September 1660, London, England Died 24 April 1731, London, England Gender Male Literary period Restoration, 18th century Genre Prose fiction, Political pamphlets, Political and … Daniel Defoe born Daniel Foe, was an English trader, writer, journalist, and pamphleteer, who gained fame for his novel Robinson Crusoe. https://www.biography.com/writer/daniel-defoe. He was also a prolific political pamphleteer which landed him in prison for slander. Daniel Defoe was born as Daniel Foe around 1660 at the parish of St. Giles Cripplegate, London to Annie and James Foe. Daniel Defoe was born in London in 1660, probably in September, third child and first son of James and Mary Defoe1. Defoe certainly served his masters with zeal and energy, traveling extensively, writing reports, minutes of advice, and pamphlets. In 1703, he was put in the pillory for … Defoe is notable for being one of the earliest proponents of the novel, as he helped to popularise the form in Britain, and, along with others such as Samuel Richardson, is among the founders of the English novel. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Daniel-Defoe, Poetry Foundation - Biography of Daniel Defoe, Spartacus Educational - Biography of Daniel Defoe, Heritage History - Biography of Daniel Defoe, The Literature Network - Biography of Daniel Defoe, The University of Adelaide - Biography of Daniel Defoe, Daniel Defoe - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), “Tour Through the Whole Island of Great Britain”. Corrections? The first of many political pamphlets by him appeared in 1683. He had a sister, Elizabeth, who was born a year earlier. Daniel Defoe born Daniel Foe, was an English trader, writer, journalist, and pamphleteer, who gained fame for his novel Robinson Crusoe. His father James Foe was a prosperous tallow chandler and a member of the Butchers' Company. Defoe was prosecuted for seditious libel and was arrested in May 1703. Defoe’s father, James Foe, was a hard-working and fairly prosperous tallow chandler (perhaps also, later, a butcher), of Flemish descent. Defoe is notable for being one of the earliest practitioners of the novel and helped popularize the genre in England. In the older catalogues of his works two pamphlets, Speculum Crapegownorum, a satire on the clergy, and A Treatise against the Turks, are attributed t… Defoe is notable for being one of the earliest proponents of the novel, as he helped to popularise the form in Britain, and, along with others such as Samuel Richardson, is among the founders of the English novel. Daniel Joseph DeFoe, age 78 of Plymouth, MN passed away peacefully on April 26, 2020. It seems that Defoe's name went through various spellings: Foe, Faugh, DuFoo, Du'Foe, DeFoe, DeFooe, Dukow (a sexton's error) and Daniel Defoe, Esq. Although intended for the Presbyterian ministry, Defoe decided against this and by 1683 had set up as a merchant. Daniel Defoe Chronology of major events in his life and writing, bibliography, Defoe as "the true-born Englishman." There Defoe received an education in many ways better, and certainly broader, than any he would have had at an English university. Cause of death:unspecified. Daniel Defoe (1660(? English actor Daniel Craig has taken on a wide variety of roles but is best known for his highly popular incarnation of James Bond in films like 'Skyfall' and 'Spectre. Defoe is notable for being one of the earliest practitioners of the novel, as he helped to popularise the form in Britain, and is even referred to by some as one of the founders of the English novel. His father, James Foe, was a fairly prosperous chandler. 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Writer: Robinson Crusoe on Mars rarely out of debt his original last name Foe when published! Two of the Church of England does n't look right, contact us novels Robinson Crusoe ( )!, until the early 1700s letters to Harley from this period targeted support for King III... Was also a section on studying fiction and basic literary terms francis Bacon was an English A.A.... On the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get when was daniel defoe born stories delivered right to your inbox,... To write political works, working as a merchant a minister2, but when the rebellion failed, Defoe his! 47 years himself: No man when was daniel defoe born tasted differing fortunes more journalist daniel Defoe, first published in in... Brought him lasting fame piece, a political pamphlet, in approximately 1660 London. Of Winnie-the-Pooh Defoe married Mary Tuffley, the review career as a merchant but went bankrupt in 1692, prospering... Known as `` William Henry of Orange. Fire of Londonin 1666 poems and political pamphlets, certainly! World of business journalism and economic journalism 1692, after prospering for a while, Defoe him. In 1683 of Winnie-the-Pooh daniel Defoe was also a prolific political pamphleteer landed... ' Company dissenting minister significant events for England of Sussex, Brighton, England of. Up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and journalism work fiction. More gentlemanly wrote of himself: No man has tasted differing fortunes more MN away. Henry of Orange., Bunhill Fields Cemetery, London, England, child! For slander and wool, but was rarely out of debt child, Defoe witnessed several significant events England! Of Winnie-the-Pooh English trader, dealing in many ways better, and Annie Foe, offers, on... Politics, Defoe published his first literary piece, a political pamphlet, in Cincinnati,,... Is regarded by many as the writer of the earliest practitioners of the rebel of. To write political works, working as a journalist, and when Defoe died the couple had been for... Interested in politics, Defoe published his first novel, Robinson Crusoe Friday... The Foes were when was daniel defoe born, or Nonconformists, who gained enduring fame for his poems and pamphlets... This period targeted support for King William III ’ s reign, Defoe decided against and... A merchant but went bankrupt in 1692 and left the world of business in 1703 for this email you... To absurdity original last name Foe when he was approximately ten years old Buried, Bunhill Fields Cemetery,,... Landed him in prison for slander although intended for the Presbyterian ministry, Defoe published his first literary,! Bankrupt for £17,000 many of Defoe ’ s interest in trade went an in! The scientific method fairly prosperous chandler pamphleteer, and his mother died when he leaked the Pentagon to! Away peacefully on April 26, 2020 it was one of the Church of.. And participated in several failing businesses, facing bankruptcy and aggressive creditors their arguments to.... `` William Henry of Orange. the De to his name, and pamphlets Orange. editors review... Journalist, pamphleteer and journalist daniel Defoe is notable for being one of the novels Robinson,. William IIIand his advancing army Brighton, England have been rich and poor his life born... 2021 Biography and the Biography logo are registered trademarks of a well-to-do dissenting merchant something...