Of Captain Misson by Daniel Defoe

Name: Of Captain Misson
Author: Daniel Defoe

Captain Misson is a novel written by Daniel Defoe, first published in 1722. The story follows the adventures of a French pirate named Captain Misson and his crew as they sail the high seas, engaging in various piracies and battles. Despite their criminal activities, the characters are portrayed as sympathetic and even heroic at times, highlighting the complexities of piracy during the early modern period. The novel explores themes of loyalty, honor, and the blurred lines between good and evil in a world where piracy was seen as a legitimate form of resistance against oppressive authority.

By Daniel Defoe · First published 1724 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Sea Stories · 17,400 words

First lines

We can be somewhat particular in the Life of this Gentleman, because, by very great Accident, we have got into our Hands a _French_ Manuscript, in which he himself gives a Detail of his Actions. He was born in _Provence_, of an ancient Family; his Father, whose true Name he conceals, was Master of a plentiful Fortune; but having a great Number of Children, our Rover had but little Hopes of other Fortune than what he could carve out for himself with his Sword. His Parents took Care to give him an Education equal to his Birth. After he had passed his Humanity and Logick, and was a tolerable Mathematician, at the Age of Fifteen he was sent to _Angiers_, where he was a Year learning His Exercises.

What this Textopian page supports

Of Captain Misson is listed on Textopian as a novel by Daniel Defoe, dated 1724 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Daniel Defoe
Date: 1724 CE
Language: English
Genres: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Sea Stories, Picaresque
Length: 17,400 words
Structure: 1 section, 132 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Of Captain Misson by Daniel Defoe
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering Of Captain Misson?
How does this novel by Daniel Defoe fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Historical Fiction — The book is set in a specific historical time period and includes characters and events inspired by history.
Adventure — The plot of the book involves the adventurous life of the protagonist Captain Misson and his crew.
Sea Stories — The book primarily deals with naval expeditions, encounters at sea, and the culture of seafaring, typical properties of the Sea Stories genre.
Picaresque — The book features episodic adventures of a roguish hero (Captain Misson) who lives by their wits in a corrupt society.