Daniel Defoe, the great English novelist, was born Daniel Foe sometime between 1659 and 1661. His parents were Alice and James Foe and it is believed he was born in St. Giles Cripplegate, London. As a Presbyterian Dissenter, not conforming to the services of the Church of England, Defoe chose to become a merchant and traded in hosiery, woolens and other such ware. He was to become a writer, journalist and a pamphleteer. As a pamphleteer and political activist, Daniel Defoe was imprisoned for his sensational essays. He is believed to be one of the earliest proponents of the English novel and was responsible for popularising it among the reading masses. He is known as the founder of the English novel, and The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, is his most distinguishing work.