User:Eric Straven/Jorgen

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Jørgen Jørgensen (1780 in Copenhagen, Denmark – January 20, 1841 in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia) was a Dane who came to Iceland in 1809 and declared the country independent from Denmark with himself as a temporary monarch, claiming that he would hand over the reins as soon as the Icelandic people were able to govern themselves; his intent was to establish a liberal society in the spirit of those emerging in The Americas and Europe at the time.

[edit] Early life

Jørgen Jørgenson was born into a well-off Danish family in Copenhagen. His father was a medical advisor to the Danish king. At the age of 15, he was sent off to a boarding school in England to further his education and hone his navigation skills, as it was his aspiration to become a great sailor. Feeling that he was constraining his lively, adventurous spirit in confinement, he ran away from the boarding school and soon found himself on a merchant vessel. He was ready to take one the world.

[edit] Iceland

Eight months following his departure from Britain, Jørgen arrived in Iceland. He made his way to Reykjavik, where he befriended fellow Dane, Samuel Phelps, in an unexpected turn of events. ... ... ...rest to be written