Ernest Hemingway's Brother Established a Floating Republic in the Caribbean

Leicester Hemingway, younger brother of Ernest Hemingway, established a micronation called New Atlantis on July 4, 1964, on a bamboo raft off the coast of Jamaica. The micronation aimed to support marine life and fisheries in the Caribbean. Leicester, a sports fisherman, wanted to fund marine research and build an aquarium on Jamaica. He saw New Atlantis as an experiment in democracy and a profitable venture. Leicester's background as a writer and adventurer influenced his decision to create the micronation. He leveraged the Guano Islands Act of 1856 to claim part of the raft as U.S. territory. Despite his efforts, New Atlantis lacked legal recognition as a nation. Leicester's whimsical approach included creating a constitution, introducing a unique currency, and issuing postage stamps. The micronation's story reflects a broader trend of post-World War II micronations, which ranged from utopian communities to libertarian republics. Leicester's endeavor, while lighthearted, highlighted the challenges of establishing a new country without international recognition.