Defoe, swift, Pope

Early Life
- Born as Daniel Foe in London; father was a butcher.
- Changed surname to Defoe for a gentlemanly impression.
- Intended to become a minister but shifted to business and later writing.
Career
- Became a political pamphleteer and journalist.
- Wrote pamphlets on diverse topics (e.g., slavery, poverty).
- Imprisoned multiple times for treason due to criticisms of the crown (specifically King William II).
- Well-known work: Robinson Crusoe, published at age 59.
- Authored hundreds of works; little known about his personal life.
Notable Work: A Journal of the Plague Year
- Fiction based on the bubonic plague of 1665.
- Explored themes of contagion and societal chaos during the plague.
- Illustrates people's responses and misconceptions (e.g., using flowers to ward off disease).
Historical Context of the Plague
- Known as the Black Death; re-emerged in 1665 with devastating effects.
- Spread rapidly due to poor hygiene and close living conditions.
- Lasted about a year; pandemic led to mass fear and death.
- The Great London Fire in 1666 killed rats, diminishing plague severity.
- Symptoms included blackened skin, painful swelling, violent vomiting.
- Government response: Quarantine of infected households.

Background
- Born in Dublin, Ireland to a family with English roots.
- Attended Kilkenny Grammar School and Trinity College, Dublin.
- Influential in both literature and politics.
Literary Contribution
- Master satirist; renowned for sharp observations of society.
- Utilized prose characterized by simplicity and clarity.
- Known for empathy towards the poor and criticism of the wealthy.
Style and Themes
- Direct and concise prose; acclaimed for clarity in writing.
- Belief in the complexities of human nature and societal flaws.
- Notable works often address serious social issues with humor and satire.

Early Life
- Only child of a linen draper; family moved to escape anti-Catholic sentiment in London.
- Educated himself due to restrictions on Catholics in schooling.
- Faced physical challenges; developed a bone disease affecting his growth.
Literary Achievements
- Began writing poetry at age 12; Ode to Solitude among his earliest works.
- Notable for literary devices; popular for pastoral poetry and heroic couplets.
- Collaborated with Jonathan Swift and others in the Scribblers' Club.
- Key works: The Rape of the Lock and translations of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey.
Impact
- Noted for making a sustainable living from writing, a rarity among poets at the time.
- Passed away in 1744; gained greater appreciation posthumously for wit and moral commentary.