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[[File:Douglas Mawson 1914a.jpg|300px|left]]
[[File:Emperor Joshua A. Norton I.jpg|250px|left]]
Sir '''[[Douglas Mawson]]''', OBE FRS FAA (5 May 1882 – 14 October 1958) was an Australian geologist, [[Antarctic]] explorer, and academic. Along with [[Roald Amundsen]], [[Robert Falcon Scott]], and Sir [[Ernest Shackleton]], he was a key expedition leader during the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. The Mawson Station in the [[Australian Antarctic Territory]] is named in his honor.
'''[[Emperor Norton]]''' was a resident of San Francisco, California, who in 1859 declared himself "Emperor of these United States" in September 1859, a role he played for the rest of his life.  


Mawson joined [[Ernest Shackleton]]'s Nimrod Expedition (1907–09) to the [[Antarctic]], originally intending to stay for the duration of the ship's presence in the first summer. Instead both he and his mentor, Edgeworth David, stayed an extra year. In doing so they became, in the company of Alistair Mackay, the first to climb the summit of [[Mount Erebus]] and to trek to the [[South Magnetic Pole]], which at that time was over land.
Norton had no formal political power, but was treated deferentially in San Francisco and elsewhere in California, and currency issued in his name was honored in some of the establishments he frequented. Some considered Norton to be insane or eccentric, but residents of San Francisco and the city's larger Northern California orbit enjoyed his imperial presence and took note of his frequent newspaper proclamations. Norton received free ferry and train passage and a variety of favors, such as help with rent and free meals, from well-placed friends and sympathizers. Some of the city's merchants capitalized on his notoriety by selling souvenirs bearing his image.  


Mawson turned down an invitation to join [[Robert Falcon Scott]]'s Terra Nova Expedition in 1910; Australian geologist Griffith Taylor went with Scott instead. Mawson chose to lead his own expedition, the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, to King [[George V Land]], and [[Adélie Land]], the sector of the Antarctic continent immediately south of Australia, which at the time was almost entirely unexplored. The objectives were to carry out geographical exploration and scientific studies, including a visit to the [[South Magnetic Pole]]. Mawson raised the necessary funds in a year, from British and Australian governments, and from commercial backers interested in mining and [[whaling]].
He is often considered the founding father of [[micronation|micronationalism]].


'''([[Douglas Mawson|Full Article...]])'''
'''([[Emperor Norton|Full Article...]])'''

Latest revision as of 05:06, 11 July 2026

Emperor Joshua A. Norton I.jpg

Emperor Norton was a resident of San Francisco, California, who in 1859 declared himself "Emperor of these United States" in September 1859, a role he played for the rest of his life.

Norton had no formal political power, but was treated deferentially in San Francisco and elsewhere in California, and currency issued in his name was honored in some of the establishments he frequented. Some considered Norton to be insane or eccentric, but residents of San Francisco and the city's larger Northern California orbit enjoyed his imperial presence and took note of his frequent newspaper proclamations. Norton received free ferry and train passage and a variety of favors, such as help with rent and free meals, from well-placed friends and sympathizers. Some of the city's merchants capitalized on his notoriety by selling souvenirs bearing his image.

He is often considered the founding father of micronationalism.

(Full Article...)

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