Emperor Norton | |
|---|---|
 Emperor Norton, c. 1871–72 | |
| Born | Joshua Abraham Norton February 4, 1818 Deptford, England |
| Died | January 8, 1880 (aged 61) |
| Resting place | Woodlawn Memorial Park, Colma, California |
| Nationality | English |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Years active | 1859–1880 |
| Known for | Assuming the identity of "Norton I, Emperor of the United States"; newspaper proclamations; personal style (regalia, etc.) |
Joshua Abraham Norton (February 4, 1818 – January 8, 1880) was an English-born resident of San Francisco, California, who in 1859 proclaimed himself "Norton I, Emperor of the United States".[1] Commonly known as Emperor Norton, he took the secondary title "Protector of Mexico" in 1863, after the French Empire, led by Napoleon III, invaded Mexico.
Born in England and raised in South Africa, Norton left Cape Town in late 1845, sailing from Liverpool to Boston in early 1846.
Nothing is known of Norton's movements for the next 3½ years. But, evidence supports his claim to have arrived in San Francisco aboard a ship from Rio de Janeiro in November 1849. In San Francisco, Norton initially made a successful living as a commodities trader and real estate speculator. However, he was financially ruined following a failed bid in December 1852 to corner the rice market during a shortage prompted by a famine in China. He bought a shipload of Peruvian rice at 12 cents per pound (26 ¢/kg), but more Peruvian ships arrived in port, causing the price to drop sharply to three cents per pound (6.6 ¢/kg). He then lost a protracted lawsuit in which he tried to void his rice contract, and his local prominence faded.
In September 1859, Joshua Norton proclaimed himself "Emperor of these United States." Norton had no formal political power but was treated deferentially in San Francisco, and currency issued in his name was honored in some of the establishments he frequented. Some considered Norton to be insane or eccentric, but residents of San Francisco and the city's larger Northern California orbit enjoyed his imperial presence and took note of his frequent newspaper proclamations. Norton received free ferry and train passage and a variety of favors, such as help with rent and free meals, from well-placed friends and sympathizers. Some of the city's merchants capitalized on his notoriety by selling souvenirs bearing his image.
On January 8, 1880, Norton collapsed and died before he could be given medical treatment. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, upwards of 10,000 people lined the streets of San Francisco to pay him homage at his funeral. Norton has been immortalized as the basis of characters in the literature of Mark Twain, Robert Louis Stevenson, Christopher Moore, Morris, René Goscinny, Selma Lagerlöf, Neil Gaiman, Mircea Cărtărescu and Charles Bukowski.
- ^ Whiting, Sam (September 18, 2023) [September 18, 2023]. "Emperor Norton gets a street named after him in the Financial District, where he once reigned". The San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on January 27, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.