Robinson Crusoe A fictional character, the protagonist of a number of works by Daniel Defoe. Date of Birth: .

1. The Creation of Robinson Crusoe
2. Early Voyages and Misfortunes
3. Shipwreck and Island Life
4. Encounter with Cannibals
5. Friday and the Mutineers
6. Homecoming and Legacy

The Creation of Robinson Crusoe

Inspired by the real-life experiences of Alexander Selkirk, Daniel Defoe created the fictional character Robinson Crusoe in 1719. The character's surname, Kreutznaer, was German and hinted at his Protestant heritage, while his first name, Robinson, was a common English surname at the time.

Early Voyages and Misfortunes

In August 1651, against his parents' wishes, Crusoe embarked on a seafaring journey from Hull, England. The voyage proved disastrous as the ship was heavily damaged in a storm. Undeterred, Crusoe continued his travels, but his next journey resulted in his capture by pirates and subsequent sale into slavery to the Moors. After two years, Crusoe escaped with a boy named Xury and was rescued by a Portuguese ship off the coast of West Africa.

Shipwreck and Island Life

Years later, Crusoe set sail again, bound for Africa to acquire slaves. A violent storm shipwrecked him on an uninhabited island, possibly located near the Orinoco River in South America. The island was similar to the Caribbean island of Tobago, which may have served as the inspiration for Crusoe's island.

Accompanied by only a dog and two cats, Crusoe faced despair but eventually adapted to his surroundings. He created a makeshift shelter, kept track of time using notches on a wooden cross, and hunted, farmed, and crafted tools. His only companion for a long time was a parrot.

Encounter with Cannibals

Crusoe's island was not entirely deserted. Occasionally, a cannibalistic tribe from the mainland would visit to conduct rituals and kill their captives. Initially, Crusoe contemplated attacking the cannibals but later decided to leave them alone, recognizing their different worldview.

Friday and the Mutineers

One day, Crusoe rescued a runaway captive and named him Friday, after the day of their encounter. He taught Friday English and Christianity. Together, they attacked the cannibals, killing most and freeing two other prisoners, including Friday's father and a Spanish castaway.

From the Spaniard, Crusoe learned of a shipwreck on the mainland and was promised a rescue ship. However, before the Spaniards arrived, an English ship appeared on the horizon. Its crew had mutinied, leaving the captain and loyal sailors stranded on the island. Crusoe struck a deal with the captain to help them regain control of the ship in exchange for passage home.

Homecoming and Legacy

After defeating the mutineers, Crusoe and his companions sailed for England. Upon his return, he discovered that his family believed him dead and had divided his wealth among themselves. With the help of his Brazilian plantation, Crusoe amassed a fortune that he transported overland to England, having lost his taste for seafaring.

Daniel Defoe wrote three books about Robinson Crusoe, but only the first, "The Life and Strange Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe," achieved lasting fame and became an enduring literary classic.