The History of the Devil, Ancient and Modern...With a Description of the Devil's Dwelling, by DeFoe

The History of the Devil, Ancient and Modern - In Two Parts - With a Description of the Devil's Dwelling, by Daniel DeFoe. 1793 (dealer’s assessment) hardcover. Nice condition, repaired binding and covers.

An interesting book, first published in 1726, and divided into two parts. The first part covers the history of the devil from his fall from heaven until the time the book was written, and the second part describes his private conduct during that time. It was one of a trilogy of books Defoe wrote towards the end of his life, that address various occult subjects. Defoe specifically discusses the history and influence of the Archfiend, Satan, and his impact on human history in this book which is also known as “The political history of the Devil.”

Daniel Defoe (c. 1660 – 1731) was an English novelist, journalist, merchant, pamphleteer, and spy. He is most famous for his novel Robinson Crusoe, published in 1719, which is claimed to be second only to the Bible in its number of translations. Another famous novel he wrote was Moll Flanders, published in 1722. He has been seen as one of the earliest proponents of the English novel, and helped to popularize the form in Britain.

Defoe was a prolific and versatile writer, producing more than three hundred works — books, pamphlets, and journals—on diverse topics, including politics, crime, religion, marriage, psychology and the supernatural. He wrote many political tracts, was often in trouble with the authorities, and spent a period in prison. Intellectuals and political leaders paid attention to his fresh ideas and sometimes consulted him.