Ned Gunderson
The Count of New Grémmia MCOU KOSS KOB | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 7th Deputy Prime Minister of Austenasia | |
| In office 13 February 2020 – 29 May 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Lady Vice Admiral Elizabeth Lewis |
| Succeeded by | Lord John Gordon |
| Custodian of the Former Nedlandic Lands | |
| In office August 2017 – 6 October 2024 | |
| Representative of Dragovina | |
| In office 22 April 2019 – 29 May 2020 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Edward Donovan Gunderson 30 December 2000 Annandale, Virginia |
| Died | 6 October 2024 (aged 23) |
| Citizenship | American Abeldane Austenasian Krasnocorian Montescanesque |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Fatherland Party |
Edward D. Gunderson (30 December 2000 – 6 October 2024) was the leader and founder of Nedland, a micronation he founded in 2014. This nation was known for its satirical and absurdist elements, including its bizarre flags, uniquely named territories, and the large number of ethnic groups it claimed to have as citizens. Gunderson himself was also well known for holding various governmental positions in many other micronations, often at the same time.
Gunderson held a prominent role in the Empire of Austenasia from 2019-20, joining the Empire alonside the annexation of Dragovina, of which he served in Parliament as its Representative in April 2019. Gunderson co-founded the Fatherland Party with Dionisiy Tezdzhan-Smahin, and during the brief premiership of Prince Dionisiy from February to May 2020 Gunderson served as Deputy Prime Minister, Home Secretary and Speaker of the House. During the climax of the 2020 political crisis in Austenasia, Gunderson announced the secession of Dragovina from the Empire due to his dissatisfaction with the extent of proposed constitutional reforms, ultimately triggering the resignation of Prince Dionisiy a few days later.
Gunderson was also a prominent politician in Mahuset between 2016 and 2020, where he was well known for his role in the end of the 2016–17 federal government shutdown. There had been proposals for a merger of Mahuset and Nedland between 2016 and 2017, although such a union failed to successfully materialise due to differences between the respective leaderships.
He was a prolific editor on MicroWiki, and held the record for the highest edit count on three occasions between 2015 and 2019, most prominently for 1,065 days between 15 May 2016 and 15 April 2019. His edit count of 15,658 was overtaken by John of Baustralia.
Gunderson described his views as third-way, being neither right nor left wing. During his time in politics, he held over thirty positions of importance in other micronations, including Abelden, Paravia, and Pavlov.
He died on 6 October 2024. This was announced by his family, and the news shared by friends of his in the micronational community.
Awards and titles
Honours
Usian Republic - Pentagon Medal, awarded on 30 July 2015.
Humanytaria - Danubian Stripe Grade 3, awarded on 30 July 2015.
Grémmia - Mexican-Commander of the Order of the Urcheon, awarded on 9 Jul 2016.
Karnia-Ruthenia - Knight of the Order of St. Stephen, awarded on 13 August 2016.
State of Koss - Knight of the Royal Order of Bravia, awarded on 26 September 2016.
Austenasia - Knight of the Order of the Bullmastiff, awarded on 4 June 2019
Diplomatic postings
- Austenasia - Consul to Virginia, 3 May - 29 May 2020
Hasanistan - Ambassador to the United States.
Mekniy - Ambassador to the United States, appointed 7 August 2017.- Sree Gurusia - Ambassador to the United States, appointed 6 August 2017.
