University of Michigan Library
University of Michigan Library

Hubbard Imaginary Voyages Collection

The Hubbard Imaginary Voyages Collection is one of the world’s largest collections of editions of Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe (1719), one of the earliest English novels. It also includes a wide array of robinsonades inspired by that work and proto-robinsonades anticipating its themes, as well as many editions of Jonathan Swift’s satire Gulliver’s Travels (1726).

Occasional acquisitions are made in this area, principally imaginary voyages that prefigure Robinson Crusoe, robinsonades that resonate with other collecting areas such as children’s literature, and unusual editions of Robinson Crusoe, such as pop-up books. 

These collection materials are housed in the Special Collections Research Center.

History of the Collection

The collection was established in 1923 with a donation of some 1500 titles by University of Michigan Regent Lucius L. Hubbard. It has grown significantly since that time and now numbers more than 2800 volumes. 

Materials in the collection

An open book with a illustration on the left and title page for Zelia in the Desert on the right.

 Frontispiece and title page for Zelia in the Desert; or, The female Crusoe by Mme. Daubenton (Marguerite). Printed by T. Maiden for Ann Lemoine, [1805?], London.