Book contents
- Daniel Defoe in Context
- Daniel Defoe in Context
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Illustrations
- Notes on Contributors
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Chronology
- Part I Life and Works
- Part II Literary Context
- Part III Authorship and Copyright
- Part IV The Monarchy and Parliament
- Part V Social Structures and Social Life
- Chapter 23 The Penal System
- Chapter 24 Defoe and Religion
- Chapter 25 Social Status and Social Mobility
- Chapter 26 Education and Opportunity
- Chapter 27 Men and Women
- Chapter 28 Defoe and China
- Chapter 29 London, 1660–1731
- Chapter 30 The Environment
- Chapter 31 Marriage Law
- Chapter 32 Daniel Defoe and the Law of the Sea
- Chapter 33 Disability
- Chapter 34 Defoe and Colonialism
- Chapter 35 Defoe and Animals
- Chapter 36 Defoe and Slavery
- Chapter 37 Economics
- Chapter 38 Defoe and the Supernatural
- Chapter 39 Defoe and America
- Part VI Critical Fortunes and Literary Afterlife
- Further Reading
- Index
Chapter 29 - London, 1660–1731
from Part V - Social Structures and Social Life
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 April 2023
- Daniel Defoe in Context
- Daniel Defoe in Context
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Illustrations
- Notes on Contributors
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Chronology
- Part I Life and Works
- Part II Literary Context
- Part III Authorship and Copyright
- Part IV The Monarchy and Parliament
- Part V Social Structures and Social Life
- Chapter 23 The Penal System
- Chapter 24 Defoe and Religion
- Chapter 25 Social Status and Social Mobility
- Chapter 26 Education and Opportunity
- Chapter 27 Men and Women
- Chapter 28 Defoe and China
- Chapter 29 London, 1660–1731
- Chapter 30 The Environment
- Chapter 31 Marriage Law
- Chapter 32 Daniel Defoe and the Law of the Sea
- Chapter 33 Disability
- Chapter 34 Defoe and Colonialism
- Chapter 35 Defoe and Animals
- Chapter 36 Defoe and Slavery
- Chapter 37 Economics
- Chapter 38 Defoe and the Supernatural
- Chapter 39 Defoe and America
- Part VI Critical Fortunes and Literary Afterlife
- Further Reading
- Index
Summary
When Defoe was born in 1660, London was a rapidly growing, crowded, congested, noisome capital. Its footprint was irrevocably altered by two events: the resurgence of plague in 1664 and the Great Fire in 1666, which destroyed most of the City in the traditional square mile. Already cosmopolitan, London had been diversified by successive waves of European migrants often fleeing religious persecution (Jews and Huguenots) as well as migrants from Africa (freed and enslaved). The nature of urban work also changed during Defoe’s lifetime, as the number of boys put to apprentice dwindled and the number of girls increased, particularly in the trades associated with textiles and fashion. The crown’s restoration in 1660 added two theatres to the capital’s already vibrant public culture, and the proliferation of coffee and chocolate houses significantly increased the number of places Londoners of the time could acquire and discuss news.
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- Daniel Defoe in Context , pp. 243 - 248Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2023