Daniel Defoe (/dɪˈfoʊ/; c. 1660 – 24 April 1731), born Daniel Foe, was an English trader, writer, journalist, pamphleteer and spy. He is most famous for his novel Robinson Crusoe, which is second only to the Bible in its number of translations. He has been seen as one of the earliest proponents of the English novel, and helped to popularize the form in Britain with others such as Aphra Behn and Samuel Richardson. Defoe wrote many political tracts and was often in trouble with the authorities, and spent a period in prison. Intellectuals and political leaders paid attention to his fresh ideas and sometimes consulted with him.

Defoe was a prolific and versatile writer, producing more than three hundred works—books, pamphlets, and journals—on diverse topics, including politics, crime, religion, marriage, psychology, and the supernatural. He was also a pioneer of business journalism and economic journalism.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Daniel Defoe, de son vrai nom Daniel Foe, est un aventurier, commerçant, agent politique et écrivain anglais, né vers 1661 à Londres et mort le 24 avril 1731 dans la Cité de Londres. Il est notamment connu pour être l’auteur de « Robinson Crusoé » et de « Heurs et Malheurs de la fameuse Moll Flanders ».