Louis de RougemontLouis de Rougemont, born Henri Louis Grin on November 12, 1847, in Gressy, Vaud, Switzerland, was a self-proclaimed explorer whose fabricated adventures captivated many in the late 19th century. At the age of sixteen, he left home and held various jos, including a footman to an actress, a servant to a Swiss banker, and a butler for the Governor of Western Australia. He also tried his hand at numerous ventures like being a doctor, spirit photographer, and inventor. In 1898, he began writing about his invented exploits in the British magazine The Wide World Magazine, claiming to have spent years in the outback of Australia and New Guinea, where he had been worshipped by Indigenous people. His tales included fantastical encounters, such as riding turtles and witnessing flying wombats. His stories were met with scepticism, leading to an investigation by the Royal Geographical Society, but his claims remained widely unverified. Read More Read Less