I knew that -- but even today we have many journalism works published post the time of occurance.
However, though Defoe didn't live in the period of the Great Plague, London experienced frequent epidemics of greater and lesser degree during his lifetime that carried off significant numbers of Londoners in a short period.
The highest total of deaths of an epidemic in London was in 1681, fatal smallpox. It returned with high fatalities in 1689 and 1691. Defor was 29 in 1689 and 30 in 1691. The Queen died in London of smallpox in 1694.
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2009-07-02 07:10 pm (UTC)However, though Defoe didn't live in the period of the Great Plague, London experienced frequent epidemics of greater and lesser degree during his lifetime that carried off significant numbers of Londoners in a short period.
The highest total of deaths of an epidemic in London was in 1681, fatal smallpox. It returned with high fatalities in 1689 and 1691. Defor was 29 in 1689 and 30 in 1691. The Queen died in London of smallpox in 1694.
Here's a history of plagues and epidemics in London.
Love, C.