Video: Daniel Defoe: why the famous writer was chained to a pillory
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
Daniel Defoe considered a classic of world literature. He is best known for his work "Robinson Crusoe" … But few people know that the writer published political pamphlets on the topic of the day, was engaged in forced espionage, and once was even tied to a pillory. About the unusual life twists and turns of the writer - further in the review.
The famous author of adventures about Robinson Crusoe was born in about 1660 in the family of the butcher James Fo. The parents made every effort to make their son learn and become a pastor, but politics and commerce occupied the mind of the young man much more than worship. After graduation, Daniel gets a job as an assistant merchant and travels around Europe.
After some time, in order to make his surname more euphonious and hide its simple origin, Daniel adds the prefix "De" to it. He runs his own business, but burns out.
At the same time, the writer begins to publish anonymously satirical pamphlets on the topic of the day. Defoe's name became known in 1701 after the publication of the pamphlet "Purebred Englishman". The writer ridiculed the arrogant aristocrats and defended King William of Orange (Dutch by birth). A year later, a pamphlet came out that made even more noise than the previous one - "The easiest way to get rid of the schismatics." The government overtook Daniel Defoe, and as a punishment they took a fine from him, gave him seven years probation and tied him to a pillory in the square, where everyone could make fun of him.
After the massacre, Daniel Defoe was devastated morally and financially. He could not support his wife and several children. In 1703 he was approached by Robert Garley (later a prominent statesman) with a proposal to "solve all problems." The writer was pardoned, a fine and family allowance were paid for him. In exchange, Daniel Defoe was supposed to cover the kingdom's politics in print in a light favorable to the government. Plus, the writer collected the "necessary" information in Scotland, or simply spied on.
While working as an undercover agent, Daniel Defoe continued his literary career. In 1719, the novel "Robinson Crusoe" was published, which inscribed the author's name in the history of world classical literature. The work is based on the real story of a sailor who lived on the island for several years after the shipwreck. The writer "settled" his hero on the island for 28 years and supplemented his image with his emotional experiences. The novel was a huge success. After that, the author wrote two more sequels about the adventures of Robinson Crusoe, but the public took these works much more calmly.
While in deep old age, Daniel Defoe again found himself in debt. Trying to get rid of creditors, he transferred his property to his son. He, in turn, threw the old man out into the street, and he had to live out his life in poverty and loneliness.
But the immortal novel "Robinson Crusoe" still excites the minds of not only adolescents, but also people of age. Brendon Grimshaw, an Englishman from Yorkshire, after reading the novel 40 years ago he settled on a desert island Moyen is in the Indian Ocean and has devoted himself to nature ever since!
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