HISTORIC ARTICLE

Feb 1, 1709 CE: Rescue of Real-Life Robinson Crusoe

On February 1, 1709, Alexander Selkirk, the probable inspiration for Robinson Crusoe, was rescued after four years alone on a South Pacific island.

Grades

9 - 12

Subjects

Anthropology, English Language Arts, Geography, Human Geography, Physical Geography

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On February 1, 1709, a Scottish sailor named Alexander Selkirk was rescued after spending four years alone on a South Pacific island. Alexander stayed healthy and fit on the island. He ate food such as shellfish, berries, and wild turnips. Earlier visitors to the island had accidentally left goats, which were wild by the time Alexander was stranded. Alexander hunted these goats for meat, and used their skins to make durable clothing. Woodes Rogers, the captain of the vessel that rescued Alexander, was so impressed with his survival abilities that he put him in charge of a ship!

acuity

noun

clarity or sharpness of thought.

domesticate

verb

to tame or adapt for human use.

durable

adjective

strong and long-lasting.

feral

adjective

wild or untamed, but descended from domesticated animals.

hostile

adjective

confrontational or unfriendly.

imprison

verb

to confine or put in a jail-like facility.

inspiration

noun

something that influences the development of an idea.

introduced species

noun

a species that does not naturally occur in an area. Also called alien, exotic, or non-native species.

island

noun

body of land surrounded by water.

privateer

noun

private ship or person commissioned by a government during war.

probable

adjective

likely.

psalm

noun

sacred song or musical poem.

remote

adjective

distant or far away.

sailor

noun

person who works aboard a ship.

shellfish

noun

any aquatic organism that has a shell or exoskeleton.

stamina

noun

strength and power to endure difficulty.

strand

verb

to abandon or leave in a vulnerable position.

turnip

noun

root vegetable related to a radish.

ultimate

adjective

final or maximum.

Credits

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Writer

National Geographic Society

Producer

National Geographic Society

other

Last Updated

October 19, 2023

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