John Milton, (born December 9, 1608, London, Englanddied November 8, 1674, London), English poet, pamphleteer, and historian, considered the most significant English author after William Shakespeare. Daniel Defoe, (born 1660, London, Eng.died April 24, 1731, London), English novelist, pamphleteer, and journalist, author of Robinson Crusoe (171922) and Moll Flanders (1722). Alain-René Lesage, (born May 6, 1668, Sarzeau, Francedied Nov. 17, 1747, Boulogne), prolific French satirical dramatist and author of the classic picaresque novel Gil Blas, which was influential in making the picaresque form a European literary fashion.