What would happen if you were stranded alone on a remote island for half a decade? For British sailor Alexander Selkirk, that nightmare became reality — and ultimately gave rise to one of the most cherished tales in all of literature: Robinson Crusoe. His rescue came on February 2, 1709, when William Dampier finally pulled him from his isolation.
The Life of Alexander Selkirk
Born in 1676 to a shoemaker in Scotland, Selkirk's early years gave little hint of the extraordinary life ahead. He ran away from home at the age of 19 and gradually found his calling on the open ocean. His natural talent as a sailor didn't go unnoticed — it earned him a promotion to captain. He took up this role during a privateering expedition led by Dampier on the Cinque Ports, a vessel bankrolled by English investors with one clear mission: plundering Spanish ships along the coast of South America.
Abandoned On A Remote Island
Life at sea for Selkirk was rarely smooth, and this voyage proved no different. Tensions aboard the ship festered, fueled by alleged mismanagement, and the friction between Captain Stradling and Selkirk only intensified until things finally boiled over. Facing charges of insubordination and mutiny, Selkirk demanded to be put ashore on Más a Tierra Island off of South America's coast, taking with him nothing more than some basic supplies and his weapons.
Left completely alone with no human contact whatsoever for five years, Selkirk nonetheless demonstrated remarkable resilience. He managed to sustain himself on parrot meat and wild fruits that had been brought ashore by Pacific tides, while his musket provided him with ample seafood for sustenance.
Tragedy Makes The Best Story
When Dampier's ship finally reached him in 1709, Selkirk greeted his rescuers enthusiastically — though he initially believed them to be either a Spanish or Dutch pirate. His harrowing ordeal went on to inspire Daniel Defoe to pen Robinson Crusoe. The novel was published later that same year and became an instant success amongst Europeans, as scandalous tales of adventure swept across Europe and captivated readers everywhere from Paris to London alike. It's a sobering thought when reflecting on history: had Alexander Selkirk not shown such extraordinary courage and resilience against all odds in facing unforgiving seas, the world might never have received the illustrious story of Robinson Crusoe!