Stafford Parker

Stafford Parker was a British artist, miner and the only President of the small and short-lived "Diggers Republic" on the diamond fields of southern Africa.

Originally an auctioneer and artist, Parker moved to mining in Griqualand West in southern Africa, where he rose to prominence as commandant of the miners' "Mutual Protection Association".

The chaotic diamond fields were disputed among several political claimants, such as the local Griqua people, the Orange Free State and the Transvaal Republic.

His government renamed Klipdrift as "Parkerton" after its new president, and began to collect taxes (often at gunpoint).

His signature item of clothing was his large white top-hats, that he always wore and that made him immediately recognisable.