David O'Keefe
Encyclopedia
David Dean O'Keefe was an Irishman who immigrated to Savannah, Georgia
, USA before becoming a historical figure to the island of Yap
.
He left the United States
in 1871 for the South Pacific. After landing on Yap he became powerful by using tools from Hong Kong and East Asia to more easily create Rai stones
. However the easier ability to make the stone money ultimately helped lead to its decline during the period of German rule. Still the wealth allowed him to own an island, which he was considered "king of." Reportedly he had his own emblem, which showed the US flag waving over the letter "OK." He ultimately accepted a Yapese wife as well, despite already having a wife and daughter in Savannah.
In 1901 he died on the ship Santa Cruz, which was on a return to Savannah.
The book His Majesty O'Keefe
by Lawrence Klingman and Gerald Green, Copyright Charles Scribener and Sonx, 1950 is a narrative of O'Keefe's life. A film was based on the book.
The film His Majesty O'Keefe
is a dramatization of his life.
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
, USA before becoming a historical figure to the island of Yap
Yap
Yap, also known as Wa'ab by locals, is an island in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean. It is a state of the Federated States of Micronesia. Yap's indigenous cultures and traditions are still strong compared to other neighboring islands. The island of Yap actually consists of four...
.
He left the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1871 for the South Pacific. After landing on Yap he became powerful by using tools from Hong Kong and East Asia to more easily create Rai stones
Rai stones
Rai, or stone money, are large, circular stone disks carved out of limestone formed from aragonite and calcite crystals, Rai stones were mined in Palau and transported for use to the island of Yap, Micronesia...
. However the easier ability to make the stone money ultimately helped lead to its decline during the period of German rule. Still the wealth allowed him to own an island, which he was considered "king of." Reportedly he had his own emblem, which showed the US flag waving over the letter "OK." He ultimately accepted a Yapese wife as well, despite already having a wife and daughter in Savannah.
In 1901 he died on the ship Santa Cruz, which was on a return to Savannah.
The book His Majesty O'Keefe
His Majesty O'Keefe
His Majesty O'Keefe is a 1954 adventure film starring Burt Lancaster. The film was directed by Byron Haskin and Otto Heller and included choreography by Daniel Nagrin...
by Lawrence Klingman and Gerald Green, Copyright Charles Scribener and Sonx, 1950 is a narrative of O'Keefe's life. A film was based on the book.
The film His Majesty O'Keefe
His Majesty O'Keefe
His Majesty O'Keefe is a 1954 adventure film starring Burt Lancaster. The film was directed by Byron Haskin and Otto Heller and included choreography by Daniel Nagrin...
is a dramatization of his life.
Print reference
- The New Book of Lists pgs 384-385