Daniel Defoe was the author of what is generally considered to be the first English novel. Robinson Crusoe is based on the experiences of Alexander Selkirk, who spent from 1704 to 1709 on an uninhabited island of Juan Fernández Archipelago. The European idea of the world had expanded by the 18th century, and the result was an interest in the unknown, the thrill of unexplored regions. Writers like Defoe incorporated this into new works of fiction. The adventures of Crusoe and his companion Friday have attained mythical status in the history of Western literature.
This special exhibition at the Folger features rare books from the collection of Stuart and Mimi Rose that present literary, cultural, and historical high points.
