Daniel Defoe

Daniel Defoe (born Daniel Foe, c.1660 – 24 April 1731) was an English writer, trader, and pamphleteer often credited as one of the earliest novelists in English. He wrote across many genres — fiction, political and religious tracts, journalism and economic writing — and is best known for novels such as Robinson Crusoe and Moll Flanders. Defoe was prolific and versatile, publishing hundreds of works on diverse topics and helping to popularize the novel form in early 18th‑century Britain.