Daniel Defoe Research Paper

Daniel Defoe

Imagine passing up a good job opportunity to follow one’s dreams, and going bankrupt because of it. Daniel Defoe did just that. Many people thought that he had made a bad decision, especially his father, James, who had wanted Daniel to follow in his footsteps and become a priest. Daniel had other ideas for his future. He overcame bankruptcy with his talent as a writer, and proved everyone who thought he had made a bad decision wrong. Despite hardships throughout his life and the many jobs he had, Daniel Defoe succeeded in becoming a great author.

Growing up, Daniel Defoe faced many challenges. His family barely escaped the destruction of the Great Fire of London. His mother had passed away when he was just ten years old (“Daniel

At first, he was a merchant where he started his own businesses (Biography.com Editors). This job ended because he went bankrupt for insuring ships for the war effort with France. Then, he became the leading pamphleteer for William III (“Daniel Defoe”). Because of his views on politics, he was sent to prison for slander. Next, Defoe became a journalist and wrote about current events of the time (Richetti 16). In his writing, he proposed many improvements for the roads, banking system, national tax system, and for worker’s compensation (20). He taught his readers lessons in religion, economics, morals, history, and politics (16). One of his greatest accomplishments was his periodical, The Review that he wrote from 1704-1713. Defoe also published The Storm, which was a collection of views on London’s Great Storm of 1703 (“Daniel Defoe”). Even though he was a spy for the ruling Tory Party, he continued to do what he enjoyed which was writing (“Daniel Defoe Robinson Crusoe”). Becoming a novelist was his favorite job. He wrote because he enjoyed it, and he really needed the money (Richetti 18). Defoe was very successful as an author and wrote many great