🎯 Where Should I Start?
ⓘ About Daniel Defoe
Daniel was a versatile and prolific writer, writing over five hundred books, journals, and pamphlets on numerous topics, like: psychology, politics, religion, crime, the supernatural, and marriage. He was also a pioneer of economic journalism. Daniel was born Daniel Foe and was the son of a London butcher named James Foe. He later added the “De” at the beginning of his name to make his name sound more gentlemanly. He graduated from an academy at Newington Green, which was run by the Reverend Charles Morton. Shortly after, in the year 1683, he went into business, giving up an earlier intent on becoming a dissenting minister. He traveled around often, selling goods like wool and wine, however he was rarely ever out of debt.
All Book Series by Daniel Defoe
The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner
Book 2 of 4 · published 1719
Serious Reflections During the Life and Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe
Latest in the series · book 4 of 4 · published 1720
Complete Works of Daniel Defoe
Latest in the series · book 3 of 3 · published 2024
The History of the Remarkable Life of John Sheppard
Book 6 of 17 · published 1724
The History of the Life and Adventures of Mr. Duncan Campell
Book 9 of 17 · published 1904
A Treatise Concerning the Use and Abuse of the Marriage Bed
Book 14 of 17 · published 2017
An Essay On The History And Reality Of Apparitions
Book 3 of 27 · published 1727
And What if the Pretender Should Come? Or, some considerations of the advantages and real consequences of the Pretender's possessing the crown of Great-Britain.
Book 8 of 27 · published 2010
The Poor Man's Plea in Relation to All the Proclamations, Declarations, Acts of Parliament, &, Which Have Been, or Shall Be Made, or Publish'd, for a Reformation of Manners, and Suppressing Immorality in the Nations.
Book 11 of 27 · published 2011
The Evident Advantages to Great Britain and Its Allies from the Approaching War
Book 12 of 27 · published 2012
A Collection of the Writings of the Author of the True-Born English-Man
Book 13 of 27 · published 2013
The History of the Union Between England and Scotland
Book 14 of 27 · published 2015
Faults on Both Sides, Or, an Essay Upon the Original Cause Progress and Mischievous Consequences of the Factions in This Nation
Book 17 of 27 · published 2015
An Essay at Removing National Prejudices Against a Union with Scotland. to Be Continued During the Treaty Here
Book 18 of 27 · published 2016
An Apology for the Army in a Short Essay on Fortitude, &C
Book 21 of 27 · published 2018
The Villainy of Stock-Jobbers Detected, and the Causes of the Late Run Upon the Bank and Bankers Discovered and Considered
Book 23 of 27 · published 2018
Reflections Upon a Late Scandalous and Malicious Pamphlet Entitul'd, the Shortest Way with the Dissenters, or Proposals for the Establishment of the Church
Book 24 of 27 · published 2018
Vindication of the Honour and Justice of His Majesty's Government
Book 25 of 27 · published 2018
An Account of the Proceedings Against the Rebels, and Other Prisoners, Tried Before the Lord Chief Justice Jefferies, and Other Judges, in the West of England, in 1685, for Taking Arms Under the Duke of Monmouth
Latest in the series · book 27 of 27 · published 2019
? Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Daniel Defoe?
Daniel was a versatile and prolific writer, writing over five hundred books, journals, and pamphlets on numerous topics, like: psychology, politics, religion, crime, the supernatural, and marriage. He was also a pioneer of economic journalism. Daniel was born Daniel Foe and was the son of a London butcher named James Foe.
Which Daniel Defoe series should I start with?
The best place to start is the Pamphlets/Essays series, the earliest of Daniel Defoe's multi-book series: it opens with An Essay upon Projects (1697) and runs to 27 books across 1697–2019, ending with An Account of the Proceedings Against the Rebels, and Other Prisoners, Tried Before the Lord Chief Justice Jefferies, and Other Judges, in the West of England, in 1685, for Taking Arms Under the Duke of Monmouth (2019). Daniel Defoe's other series stand alone, so they can be read in any order.
How many books has Daniel Defoe written?
Daniel Defoe has 65 books catalogued in this guide, published between 1627 and 2024. 31 of them belong to 2 named series — the largest being the Pamphlets/Essays series with 27 books — and 34 are standalone titles, collections or anthologies.
In what order should Daniel Defoe's series be read?
Read each series in publication order — the numbered entries in each series follow the year each book first appeared. Daniel Defoe's series do not depend on one another, so they can be started in any order; by start date they are Pamphlets/Essays (1697–2019, 27 books) and Robinson Crusoe (1719–1720, 4 books).
How are Daniel Defoe's books organised into series?
This guide splits Daniel Defoe's 65 books into 2 named series and 34 titles that stand alone or appear only in collections: Pamphlets/Essays (27 books, 1697–2019); Robinson Crusoe (4 books, 1719–1720).