41. Defoe, Daniel, 1661?-1731.

The consolidator, or, Memoirs of sundry transactions from the world in the Moon / translated from the Lunar language, by the author of The true-born English Man. (London : Printed, and are to be sold by Benj. Bragg at the Blue Ball in Ave-Mary-lane, 1705)

As with Gulliver’s travels and Robinson Crusoe, this is a satire presented as an imaginary voyage. The title refers to an invention that enables people to fly to the moon. The civilization there reflects Britain, in particular the conflict between the Anglicans and the various dissenting sects. Defoe advises the Dissenters to join forces and boycott all outsiders, thereby drawing all business and financial power to themselves. This further fuelled Defoe’s reputation as a dangerous polemicist.