Daniel Defoe, The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe.

Daniel Defoe, The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe. Wellington: Printed at the 'Independent' Office, 1852.

1852

1852

W.243, Williams Collection

Hocken Library

Daniel Defoe's classic tale, first published in 1719, was translated into Maori by H.T. Kemp. It contains four specially prepared illustrations (lithographs) by Dr T. S. Ralph. The translation was instigated by Sir George Grey, who considered the work would be 'useful and interesting' to Maori. According to William Swainson, Maori readers preferred the story of 'Peter the Great' over Robinson Crusoe because the latter was not true.