Daniel Defoe (1660?β1731)
Timeline
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Birth
Daniel Foe is born, probably in the parish of St. Giles, to James, tallow chandler, and Alice Foe.
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The Plague
Defoe is possibly taken to the country outside of London to avoid the plague.
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The Great Fire of London
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Early education
Goes to study at Rev. James Fisher's school at Dorking, Surrey.
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Dissenting academy
Studies outside Londont at dissenting academy in Stoke Newington under Charles Morton.
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Embarks on mercantile career
Begins career in trade as a wholesaler in the hosiery business, located in Cornhill in the City of London.
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Marriage
Marries Mary Tuffley, daughter of a prosperous tradesman in the parish of St. Botolph, Aldgate.
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Rebellion of Duke of Monmouth
Joins the rebellion of the Duke of Monmouth and captured after the battle of Sedgemoor. Eventually receives a royal pardon.
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Revolution of 1688
Rides to Henley to meet the incoming army of William III on its way to London.
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Travels
Travels to Chester with King William and vists Liverpool on business.
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Bankruptcy
Business failures lead to first bankruptcy, for about £17,000, caused through losses in marine insurance.
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Government post
Gains small government post connected with the Glass Duty.
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Manager of official government lottery
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Publication of An Essay upon Projects
(Defoe wrote over 500 separate books and pamphlets. This chronology lists those for which he is chiefly remembered today.)
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Travels
Visits Scotland for the King (first visit to Scotland).
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Publication of The True-Born Englishman
Defoe's The True-Born Englishman, a verse satire, is his first important work.
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Meets Robert Harley
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Publication of The Shortest Way with the Dissenters
Political satire, The Shortest Way with the Dissenters, causes furore; Defoe is forced to flee from authorities.
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Conviction of sedition
Arested, convicted of sedition; escapes and then recaptured. Stands in the pillory.
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Publication of first collection of Defoe's works
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The Review
Begins weekly paper, The Review, a journal of news and (chiefly) opinion, which Defoe conducts singlehanded until 1713.
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Resident in Scotland
Resident in Scotland for long periods as agent and spy for the leading ministers Harley and Godolphin.
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Bankruptcy
Bankrupt again, owing to failure of his brick factory at Tilbury.
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Proposes a scheme for settling refugees from the German Palatinate
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Travels
Visits Derbyshire to take the waters at Buxton. By this date he is living in Stoke Newington.
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Imprisonment
Arrested at least twice for political and other reasons. Imprisoned in the Queen's Bench gaol for indiscreet pamphlets but released.
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Tried for libel but the case is dropped.
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Starts to write for Tory newspaper, Mist's Weekly Journal
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Publication of Robinson Crusoe, Part I
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In trouble with the authorities again but escapes punishment
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Publication of Captain Singleton
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Publication of Memoirs of a Cavalier
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Publication of Moll Flanders
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Publication of Journal of the Plague Year
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Publication of Colonel Jack
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Publication of The Fortunate Mistress [Roxana]
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Publication of Tour of Great Britain volume I
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Publication of pamphlets concerning Jack Sheppard, Jonathan Wild, and other criminals
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Publication of Complete English Tradesman volume I
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Publication of Compleat English Tradesman volume II
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Publication of Tour of Great Britain volume II
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Publication of Tour of Great Britain volume III
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Lawsuit over old debt
Lawsuit with the assignee of an old creditor; finally forced to go into hiding.
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Publication of Augusta Triumphans: or The Way to make London the most Flourishing City in the Universe
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Death
Defoe dies in his lodgings in Rope Makers' Alley, still a fugitive. Buried in Bunhill Fields on north of the city.