What literary movement was Defoe a part of?

Daniel Defoe is generally considered a writer of the Enlightenment period, which spanned roughly from the 17th to the 18th centuries.

While he predates the "Romantic" period, Defoe's work shares some characteristics with Romanticism. However, he is more firmly rooted in the Enlightenment due to his focus on:

* Reason and Logic: Defoe's works often explored themes of rationality, individual responsibility, and the power of human observation.

* Empiricism: His writing relied heavily on detailed descriptions, factual accounts, and a focus on the observable world.

* Social Commentary: Defoe's works often addressed social issues, such as poverty, crime, and the role of government.

So, while Defoe's writing exhibits some elements of Romanticism, he is more accurately placed within the Enlightenment movement.