Place Name
Daniel Defoe (1660 – April 24, 1731) was the author of Robinson Crusoe, published in 1719 and regarded by many as the first proper English novel. He took up writing after being made bankrupt in business. He is said to have lived for a time at nearby at Tooting Old Hall, although there is no proof of this. It is more likely, however, that the developers were inspired by the fact that this road comes off of Robinson Road, originally Robinson’s Lane, which had existed for many years before and is named after one John Robinson, a Warden of Merton College Oxford in the 18thCentury. Other nearby roads connected with Defoe are Daniel Close, Crusoe Road, Friday Road, Pitcairn Road and Selkirk Road.
