British adventurer Brendon Grimshaw paid $13.00 for a tiny, deserted island in the Seychelles archipelago in 1962. He resigned from his position as editor-in-chief at the age of forty-nine in order to begin a new life on this island, where no one had lived for fifty years. Like a real-life Robinson, Brendon changed the neighboring island he lived on with the help of René Lafortin. They helped prevent the extinction of the species for 39 years by planting 16,000 trees, building over 5 miles of paths, and reintroducing over 100 gigantic tortoises. Brendon has brought 2,000 new bird species to the island, turning this formerly arid area into a wildlife sanctuary.
Currently, two thirds of the Seychelles' fauna live on this island. After René Lafortin passes away in 2007, Brendon is left alone on the island. Brendon turned down a $50 million offer to buy the island from a Saudi prince, wishing instead for his island to be turned into an open-access national park. He opposed the island turning into an exclusive slum for the wealthy. He would have liked it to become a publicly accessible national park. 2008 saw the island designated as a national park as a result of his efforts. At the age of 87, Brendon passed away on his island in 2012. We should all aspire to the principles and traits that this man exemplifies. I wish you respect, dignity, and peace! Regards
