The Notorious Impostor (1692); Diego Redivivus (1692)

The Notorious Impostor, written by Elkanah Settle in 1692, is an early work of fiction that blends biography and picaresque elements. It follows William Morrell, a notorious impostor who, facing financial ruin, adopts various identities to con the gentry and navigate the criminal underbelly of 17th-century England. The narrative offers dark humor and social commentary on deceit and the gullibility of society, reflecting the complexities of identity during this era.