Daniel Defoe's great novel published in 1719 is thought to be based on a real person's exploits - usually Alexander Selkirk is the commonly known example but now thanks to new research it is thought to be based on the life of Henry Pitman - a Monmouth Rebel. Sent to a penal colony in Barbados he escaped to be marooned. His story was later published in A relation of the great sufferings and strange adventures of Henry Pitman Chyrurgion to the late Duke of Monmouth (1689). It seems like this book may be online - here are notes - anyone know how I can find it to read?
Defoe knew Pitman and had been a rebel himself in 1685. Wiki on Robinson Crusoe
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