"Robinson Crusoe": the author wrote about himself?

Today there is no common opinion about the year in which Daniel Defoe was born, an English writer familiar to our reader primarily as the author of the novel "Robinson Crusoe." Some are inclined to think that in 1660, while other biographers and historians are sure that Daniel Fo was born in 1661 in London. Yes, do not be surprised, there is no misprint in the text. The real name of the famous writer is Fo.

Childhood and youth

Daniel's father was selling meat and dreamed that his son would become a pastor, so young Daniel was enrolled in a theological seminary. At the Morton Academy in Stoke-Newington, the future author of the book "Robinson Crusoe" studied Greek, Latin and classical literature. But, having graduated in 19 years of academy, Daniel Fo starts to engage in entrepreneurial activity.

Kommersant and pamphleteer

The first steps in commerce, he does as a clerk in a hosiery trader, where he learns the basics of the business. For the first time makes trips, exclusively for commercial purposes, to Portugal, Italy, Spain and France. Subsequently, Daniel Fo will buy a factory for the production of stockings, then a factory for the production of tiles and bricks. The adventurer, by his nature, Mr. Fo, invests money in dubious projects for that time and as a result becomes bankrupt.

Failures on the commercial front do not knock the ground out from under Daniel's feet. In addition to commerce, the political life of the country is of great interest to the future novelist. His political activities were directed against the reigning King James II, he wrote satirical poems and pamphlets, in which he ridiculed the royal court and the ruling aristocracy. The most popular of these is the "Thoroughbred Englishman" written in 1701. The pamphlet was so topical that the authorities sentenced the author to a pillory, a gigantic fine and put in jail until the execution of all punishments. Standing tied to the pillory, the pamphleteer watched as the people of London gave him sympathy and support. Its production collapsed: the plant was completely ruined while the owner was in the prison cell.

In his freedom, in fact, Daniel Foe was indebted to the Minister and Speaker of the House of Commons, Robert Harley. The speaker pulled a writer from prison and offered him the job of a secret agent in Scotland and England. In 1704, the Dee particle is added to the name of Fo, so the owner of the surname decided to emphasize his aristocratic origins. And in the same year he receives a post in the periodical "Review". Here he works until 1713, writes and edits articles, becomes famous political observer. In parallel with work in the publishing house, Defoe writes literary works.

First book

In 1719 the first book of the writer - "Robinson Crusoe" was published. The author has a stunning success. The name of Daniel Defoe is included in the history of world literature. Popularity was received not only by the writer, but also by Robinson Crusoe himself. The author endowed the protagonist with an unbending character and a thirst for life. On the wave of success of the first book, Defoe immediately releases a sequel about the life of the main character - "Further Adventures of Robinson Crusoe," and a year later the author writes "Serious reflections during life and the amazing adventures of Robinson Crusoe, including his visions of the angelic world." But these works did not inspire readers.

The whole world believes that the main character of the novel "Robinson Crusoe", whose author Daniel Defoe - a real character. At the heart of the work is really the story that happened to another sailor. Few people know that from the master's pen came out still such wonderful works as "Happy Courtesan", "Joys and sorrows of Mole Flanders", "The history of Colonel Jack", etc. But the main was and is the book "Robinson Crusoe." The author and his character went through life all the same together.

The famous novelist died in poverty and oblivion, at the age of 71, in London.