"Daniel Defoe established the genre of the novel with Moll Flanders and Robinson Crusoe. He also wrote pioneering works of non-fiction and verse. This collection of short, accessible essays by leading scholars helps students and general readers understand Defoe's writing and the vibrant culture in which he lived"--

Part I. Life and Works: 1. Defoe the writer John Richetti; 2. Defoe's connections Brian Cowan; 3. Family life and inner life Maximillian E. Novak; 4. Correspondence Louise Curran; 5. Editions Cynthia Wall; Part II. Literary Context: 6. Defoe and the novel Stephanie Insley Hershinow; 7. Defoe and popular fiction Paul Baines; 8. Verse and verse satire Pat Rogers; 9. Memories and memorials: factual genres in A Journal of the Plague Year Barbara M. Benedict; 10. Periodicals, news and journalism Darryl P. Domingo; 11. Pornography Hal Gladfelder; 12. Defoe and popular religious writing Penny Pritchard; 13. Theatre and the novel Laura J. Rosenthal; 14. The philosophical tradition Ryan Patrick Hanley; Part III. Authorship and Copyright: 15. Censorship Aaron R. Hanlon; 16. Professional authorship J. A. Downie; 17. Digital defoe Hilary Havens; 18. Anonymous defoe Mark Vareschi; Part IV. The Monarchy and Parliament: 19. Politics Nicholas Seager; 20. Defoe and the glorious revolution Emrys D. Jones; 21. Defoe and the monarchy Toni Bowers; 22. The act of union Juliet Shields; Part V. Social Structures and Social Life: 23. The penal system Monika Fludernik; 24. Defoe and religion Jayne Lewis; 25. Social status and social mobility Brean Hammond; 26. Education and opportunity Benjamin F. Pauley; 27. Men and women Ann Louise Kibbie; 28. Defoe and China Eugenia Zuroski; 29. London: 1660¿1731 Melissa Mowry; 30. The environment David Alff; 31. Marriage law Melissa J. Ganz; 32. Daniel defoe and the law of the sea Jonathan Lamb; 33. Disability Jason S. Farr; 34. Defoe and colonialism Stephanie DeGooyer; 35. Defoe and animals Paul Kelleher; 36. Defoe and slavery George Boulukos; 37. Economics Robert Markley; 38. Defoe and the supernatural Geoffrey Sill; 39. Defoe and America Joseph F. Bartolomeo; Part VI. Critical Fortunes and Literary Afterlife: 40. Critical reception up to 1900 Emily C. Friedman; 41. Critical reception after 1900 Manushag N. Powell; 42. Continuations and adaptations Daniel Cook; Further Reading; Index.