What Was The First Novel Printed In English? Uncovering Literary History

The inaugural English novel is typically attributed to Daniel Defoe’s “Robinson Crusoe,” initially published in 1719 (Lee). This groundbreaking work follows the captivating narrative of a man named Robinson Crusoe, who found himself marooned on a remote island for an astonishing 28 years. Throughout his solitary sojourn, Crusoe’s story unfolds, chronicling his remarkable adventures, challenges, and the extraordinary experiences he encountered during his extended isolation on the island. Defoe’s “Robinson Crusoe” marks a pivotal moment in the history of English literature, pioneering the novel as a distinct literary form.

The inception of the English novel is often attributed to the works of Daniel Defoe, namely “Robinson Crusoe” (1719) and “Moll Flanders” (1722). However, contemporary research highlights earlier contributions by authors such as Aphra Behn, whose “Love-Letters Between a Nobleman and His Sister” (1684) marked an early precursor. Furthermore, John Bunyan’s allegorical masterpiece, “The Pilgrim’s Progress” (1678), and Aphra Behn’s “Oroonoko” (1688) are also acknowledged as pivotal early examples that laid the groundwork for the development of the English novel. These pioneering works collectively illuminate the evolving landscape of English literature and its emergence as a distinct literary form.