Daniel Defoe died on 24 April 1731 in Moorfields, aged about 71. An English writer, merchant and journalist, Defoe is best known for Robinson Crusoe, published in 1719 and often regarded as one of the first English novels. He also wrote Moll Flanders, A Journal of the Plague Year and Captain Singleton, and produced a huge quantity of pamphlets and essays on politics and economics. His satire The Shortest Way with the Dissenters led to a spell in the pillory and in prison. He worked as a spy and propagandist for government ministers, and he suffered several financial failures during his career.
Before and after
- from c. 1730s to 1780sRise of Rococo
- from 1730 to 1735Ottoman–Persian War of 1730–1735
- 1730Founding of Fitchburg
- from March 1730 to August 1730Western Persia campaign of 1730
- 24 April 1731Death of Daniel Defoe
- 10 October 1731Birth of Henry Cavendish
- 1732Trevi Fountain
- 22 February 1732Birth of George Washington
- 31 March 1732Birth of Joseph Haydn
More in Art, literature & culture
- from 31 October 1517 to 1 January 1648Protestant Reformation
- 31 October 1517Origins of Lutheranism
- 10 November 1517Origins of Protestantism
- 1563Construction of Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
- 1565Construction of Agra Fort
- from 17th century to 19th centuryAge of Enlightenment
The era
This moment belongs to the Early modern world (1500 CE to 1760 CE), voyages, printing and new ideas. You can also browse everything in the 18th century.