"Roxana: The Fortunate Mistress" is a novel by Daniel Defoe. In this book, Roxana describes her decline from wealth after being abandoned by her husband. She turns to prostitution and moves up and down the social ladder by contracting marriage with a jeweler, courting a prince, and being the object of love of a Dutch merchant. Her experiences with these men allow her to accumulate enough wealth that she can live in freedom. Daniel Defoe (c.1659-1731) was an English writer credited with publishing the first English-language novel, Robinson Crusoe. Born Daniel Foe, he wrote more than 500 works during his life, including novels and political works, and in a variety of subjects.