Why Famous:Most famous for his novel Robinson Crusoe. He is notable for being one of the earliest proponents of the novel, as he helped to popularise the form in Britain, and is among the founders of the English novel.
A prolific and versatile writer, he wrote more than 500 books, pamphlets and journals on various topics.
1659-09-30 Robinson Crusoe is shipwrecked (according to Daniel Defoe)
1686-12-19 Robinson Crusoe leaves his island after 28 years (as per Daniel Defoe)
1703-07-31 Daniel Defoe is placed in a pillory for the crime of seditious libel after publishing a politically satirical pamphlet, but is pelted with flowers
1719-04-25 Daniel Defoe publishes "Robinson Crusoe", regarded as the 1st English novel
Charlotte Brontë
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Miguel Ángel Asturias
Sidney Sheldon
Stephen Crane
William Golding