Here's how he contributed:
* "Atlantis: The Antediluvian World" (1882): Donnelly's book was a major bestseller, bringing the idea of Atlantis to a wide audience. He argued that Atlantis was a real civilization, much more advanced than ancient Egypt or Greece, and that its destruction was the source of many myths and legends, including the biblical flood.
* A "scientific" approach: Donnelly used "scientific" arguments to support his theory. He connected Atlantis to the "lost continents" theory, suggesting that the remains of Atlantis lay hidden under the ocean, explaining geological formations and even the existence of prehistoric animals.
* Linking Atlantis to diverse cultures: Donnelly linked Atlantis to the cultures of ancient Egypt, Mesoamerica, and even the Native Americans of North America, claiming that they were all descendants of Atlantean survivors.
* Fueling public imagination: His book inspired numerous other books, articles, and even fiction, solidifying Atlantis' place in popular culture.
Criticisms:
Donnelly's work was heavily criticized by scholars for its lack of evidence and its reliance on speculation. His theories were seen as imaginative but lacking in scientific rigor. However, his book played a significant role in popularizing the idea of Atlantis, making it a staple of speculative history and fantasy.
In Conclusion:
While not the first to suggest a lost Atlantis, Donnelly's work was instrumental in popularizing it as a tangible historical reality. His book made the idea accessible to a wider audience and fueled speculation about its existence and influence on human history. Although his claims were largely dismissed by academics, his contribution to the enduring fascination with Atlantis remains undeniable.