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Possible Sources that Inspired the Creation of Robinson Crusoe
Select a card to see more detail about the text and how it relates to Robinson Crusoe. Of course, these are not the only texts that could have inspired the novel; in fact, those familiar with the debate will notice that there are some major works that have been left out. Only the texts that were mapped are present here and I choose the text based on availbility, not the most popular theories according to scholarship.
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The Strange and Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe of York (1719)
The 1719 novel that anchors this exhibit: Crusoe’s 28 years on a remote island.
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An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon (1681)
Robert Knox travels across the ocean and is then held captive in Ceylon, also known as modern day Sri Lanka.
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A New Voyage Round the World (1697)
William Dampier travels around the whole world during his 12 year long adventure.
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A Cruising Voyage round the World (1712)
Woodes Rogers Seizes two important towns and finds Alexander Selkirk
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The Man in the Moone (1638)
A Spaniard makes a bird flying machine and visits the utopian society on the moon.
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