Daniel Defoe (; 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 popularise 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.

Daniel Defoe

Title page from the 1972 reprint of Captain Singleton.