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Chapter 1 - Defoe the Writer

from Part I - Life and Works

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 April 2023

By
John Richetti
Edited by
Albert J. Rivero  and
George Justice
Albert J. Rivero
Affiliation:
Marquette University, Wisconsin
George Justice
Affiliation:
University of Tulsa
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Summary

The life of Daniel Defoe was filled with adventure. His writing took him to many places, geographically, as well as in the form and content of the works he wrote, including verse that got him pilloried, pamphlets that took him to Scotland as a spy, conduct books reflecting his upbringing as a Dissenter, his periodical Review that commented on world events, and, most famously, his novels, which demonstrated his ingenuity, breadth of knowledge, and experience of the world. This essay surveys Defoe’s life to set the stage for the rest of the book’s essays on his life, works, and culture.

Keywords

Daniel Defoeauthorshipbiography
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Chapter
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Daniel Defoe in Context , pp. 3 - 10
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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