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Daniel Defoe

1 of 5 portraits of Daniel Defoe

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Daniel Defoe

by Michael Vandergucht, after Jeremiah Taverner
line engraving, 1706
10 3/4 in. x 7 1/4 in. (273 mm x 184 mm)
Transferred from National Portrait Gallery Reference Collection, 1955
Primary Collection
NPG 3960

Sitterback to top

  • Daniel Defoe (1660-1731), Novelist, journalist and author of 'Robinson Crusoe'. Sitter in 5 portraits.

Artistsback to top

  • Jeremiah Taverner (active circa 1690-1706), Artist. Artist or producer associated with 6 portraits.
  • Michael Vandergucht (1660-1725), Engraver. Artist or producer associated with 255 portraits.

Related worksback to top

Linked publicationsback to top

Subject/Themeback to top

Events of 1706back to top

Current affairs

The Regency Bill passes in Parliament. John Somers, Baron Somers, and Thomas Wharton, Marquess of Wharton, as prominent supporters of the Protestant succession, are instrumental in formulating legislation which provide for an emergency Council of Sate to convene upon the death of Queen Anne, pending arrival of the Hanoverian successor.

Art and science

Publication of Horae lyricae, by hymn writer Isaac Watts. A dissenting minister, Watts is recognised as the 'Father of English Hymnody'.
Publication of Synopsis Palmariorum Matheseos, a mathematical guide for beginners by mathematician William Jones.
Thomas Twining opens a tea room in London.

International

Allied forces under Commander-in-chief, John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, defeat Louis XIV's army at the Battle of Ramillies. The most successful campaign in Marlborough's career, victory at Ramillies and a string of subsequent military successes for the allies establishes their control of the Southern Netherlands.

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