Daniel Defoe Died After Suffering From Lethargy

On April 24, 1731, Daniel Defoe passed away after leading a life in hiding from his creditors. He was reportedly lethargic, according to speculation. Although it's often mistaken for just being tired, lethargy is actually a pathological condition of deep inactivity that can also be accompanied by other symptoms like anemia, iron deficiency, insomnia, apnea, narcolepsy, allergies, dry skin, constipation, dizziness, chest pain, blurred vision, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, and conditions involving the heart, lungs, or thyroid. In Moll Flanders, Defoe attributed a character's demise to laziness. He reportedly had a stroke, which led to his demise, according to some historians. He continued to be in debt on a number of occasions during his life. He was laid to rest in Bunhill Fields Burial, and in 1870 the British government built a monument in his honor.

Defoe was still mired in debt and financial lawsuits when he passed away, leaving behind very little money. His commercial practices while he was a merchant and elsewhere were never honest, according to certain historians who have provided proof for this claim.