Long before the name "Baron Trump" was associated with modern American politics, it was the title of a 19th-century literary protagonist. Written by Ingersoll Lockwood in 1893, Baron Trump’s Marvellous Underground Journey is a satirical Victorian children's novel that has recently transitioned from an obscure historical artifact to a subject of intense internet fascination. The book follows the adventures of a wealthy, eccentric young boy named Wilhelm Heinrich Sebastian Von Troomp—commonly called Baron Trump—as he leaves his castle to explore a subterranean world.
The Curious Case of Baron Trump’s Marvellous Underground Journey Baron Trump's marvellous underground journey
The narrative is structured as a classic "hollow earth" adventure, a popular trope in the late 1800s. Guided by a manuscript written by a "celebrated thinker and traveler" named Don Fum, Baron Trump travels to Russia to find an entrance into the Earth’s interior. Accompanied by his faithful dog, Bulger, the Baron encounters various bizarre civilizations, such as the "Transparent Folk" and the "Rattle-Brains." The essay of the Baron’s character is one of supreme, often comical, self-confidence; he views himself as a pioneer of science and intellect, despite his young age and the often absurd nature of his discoveries. Long before the name "Baron Trump" was associated