On this day in 1709, the Scotsman Alexander Selkirk was rescued after being stranded for 5 years on a deserted island. After returning to civilization, he became friends with Daniel Defoe, who would eventually write the novel The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe.
Apparently, the real inspiration for Robinson Crusoe went a little bit crazy after his long isolation, and would periodically leave his home in England to live in a nearby cave. I wonder if he got any kind of royalties for his friend’s novel.