Author: Daniel Defoe
Daniel Defoe was born in London in 1660. He was educated for the Presbyterian ministry, but quickly abandoned this intention. Instead he embarked on a life of several careers and great complexity. He was captured by Algerian pirates and took part in Monmouth's Rebellion; his earlier engagements in commerce ended in bankruptcy but he later dealt in ship-insurance, wool, oysters, and linen; he become a secret agent and was several times arrested. He died of lethargy in 1731.
