A “flat-Earth” map drawn by Orlando Ferguson in 1893.
He published his observations in 1849 in a pamphlet titledZetetic Astronomy, writing under the pseudonym “Parallax”.
A figure from Rowbothams 1849 pamphlet Zetetic Astronomy.
The naturalist and surveyor Alfred Russel Wallace thought that was easy money and accepted the wager.
In spite of the available evidence, Hampden adamantly refused to acknowledge the demonstration.
Hampden then started publishing insulting letters accusing Wallace of cheating.
Eventually, he started sending Wallace death threats.
The torment only ceased with Hampden’s demise.
Rowbotham’s flat Earth map
Meanwhile, Rowbotham continued to further his ideas.
Rowbotham died in 1884 but his pestilent notions continued to fester.
His work in the United States was continued by William Carpenter, a printer originally from Greenwich.
Old Bedford River at Welney Looking upstream from the road bridge at Welney.
In 1904, Lady Blount repeated Rowbothams infamous Bedford Level Experiment with similar results.
The birth of the internet and the proliferation of message boards and social media have sustained the growth.
The number of flat-earthers today is probably in the millions.
