Rowbotham, Samual Birley: - "Samuel Birley Rowbotham was an English inventor, writer, utopian socialist, and flat Earth proponent, best known for his work - Zetetic Astronomy: Earth Not a Globe, which he published under the pseudonym Parallax. Born in 1816 in London, Rowbotham s ideas challenged the established scientific understanding of the Earth s shape and motion. His work argued for a flat Earth model, promoting the concept of zetetic inquiry, which emphasized direct observation and empirical evidence over accepted theories. Initially published as a short pamphlet, the work was later expanded into a book that presented a series of observations and experiments to support his claims. Rowbotham's ideas were a part of a larger movement of skepticism toward mainstream science during the 19th century, although his theories were widely criticized and remain on the fringe. Besides his controversial scientific work, Rowbotham was a proponent of utopian socialism, believing in societal reforms aimed at improving human well-being. He passed away in 1884 at the age of 68. His legacy endures mainly through the continued existence of flat Earth movements, which trace their origins back to his writings."