In 1697, Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk was marooned on Más a Tierra (now Robinson Crusoe Island). Surviving through self-reliance and resourcefulness, Selkirk hunted, gathered, and tamed animals, exemplifying human resilience. His isolation lasted years until an eventual rescue. His story inspired Daniel Defoe's 1719 novel 'Robinson Crusoe,' which revolutionized adventure fiction. Selkirk's experience highlights adaptability and influenced the literary genre profoundly.