The Illustration of Robinson Crusoe, 1719-1920

Defoe's Robinson Crusoe has exerted a powerful fascination of generations of readers since its publication in 1719. And not only readers, but artists too; few works have ever been published in so many illustrated editions. In this analysis of over 100 representative illustrations Blewett shows both how Crusoe as a figure in the Western imagination and Robinson Crusoe as a text have been viewed and interpreted by illustrators and engravers not only in the English speaking world byt in Europe as well. His unique study is an invaluable work not only for fans of Defoe's most famous work, but for everyone interested in the history of book illustration.