One of the most important writers of English literature is
Daniel Defoe. He was born in 1660 in London. He became a merchant and
participated in several failing businesses. He was also a prolific political
pamphleteer which landed him in prison for slander. 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. Defoe published his first literary piece in 1683. Defoe's simple but effective prose
style ensured him widespread popularity. He is seen as the father of the
English Novel.
Although Defoe is best known now for his novels, much of his
writing is related to political, social, and business issues. One of his first
works, An Essay upon Projects was a series of proposals. Defoe spent his time
covertly editing other newspapers. Defoe died in 1731.
