290. Daniel Defoe was WAY more than just a novelist with Marc Mierowsky
About this episode
This episode explores the multifaceted role of Daniel Defoe beyond his literary contributions, revealing his involvement in political manipulation and espionage in early Britain.
Daniel Defoe wasn’t just a novelist — he helped forge Britain itself Daniel Defoe is remembered as the author of Robinson Crusoe — but that legacy hides a far more dangerous, politically explosive truth. Long before his novels reshaped literature, Defoe was shaping nations. In this episode of History Rage , Paul Bavill is joined by historian Marc Mierowsky , Fellow and Lecturer in English at the University of Melbourne, to rage against the idea that Defoe was “just” a novelist. Instead, we uncover Defoe as a government propagandist, intelligence agent, and covert operator , working at the very heart of early British state power. Marc reveals how Defoe: Operated as a political fixer and spy for Robert Harley Built one of Britain’s earliest nationwide intelligence and propaganda networks Infiltrated Scottish politics during the crisis years before the 1707 Act of Union Manipulated religious divisions, rebellion, and public opinion Helped sabotage organised resistance to the Union of England and Scotland This is a story of dirty tricks, espionage, pamphlet warfare, and political manipulation , all carried out by a man later celebrated as a literary pioneer. It also raises…
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