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NEWS October 2024
OCTOBER 2024 The recent cyber attack on the Internet Archive is deplorable and can be reasonably compared with the repeated burning of the Great Library of Alexandria. I have used the Wayback Machine extensively, but, until the full extent of the permanent damage is clear, I am unable to assess its effect on Atlantipedia. At […]Read More »
Joining The Dots
I have now published my new book, Joining The Dots, which offers a fresh look at the Atlantis mystery. I have addressed the critical questions of when, where and who, using Plato’s own words, tempered with some critical thinking and a modicum of common sense.Read More »
Gladstone, William Ewart
William Ewart Gladstone (1809-1898) was four times prime minister of Britain and often considered its greatest statesman of the 19th century.
Ignatius Donnelly was obviously aware that Gladstone was familiar with the works of Plato having studied the classics at Oxford and having written[1484] and lectured on the works of Homer and so sent him a copy of his book in February 1882. There is a story, probably apochryphal that “Gladstone sent this letter and addressed it to Ignatius Donnelly Esquire, America. And Ignatius being an Irish man and not wishing to be outdone, decided to reply to him and his reply said: The Right Honorable William Ewart Gladstone, the world.”(a) A short correspondence between them ensued.
It then seems that Gladstone was so impressed by Donnelly’s book on Atlantis that he sought funds from the British Treasury to send a ship to locate the position of Atlantis in the Atlantic. The Treasury declined the request. However, as Marjorie Braymer remarked, “news like this sent the sales of Donnelly’s book skyrocketing”. Incidentally, Gladstone would have been familiar with the works of Plato having studied the classics at Oxford and having written and lectured on Homer and his works.