Joshua Abraham Norton (c. 1819– January 8, 1880), the self-proclaimed His Imperial Majesty Emperor Norton I, was a celebrated citizen of San Francisco, California, who in 1859 proclaimed himself “Emperor of these United States” and subsequently “Protector of Mexico.”
Born in London, Norton spent most of his early life in South Africa. He emigrated to San Francisco in 1849 after receiving a bequest of $40,000 from his father’s estate. Norton initially made a living as a businessman, but he lost his fortune investing in Peruvian rice.
After losing a lawsuit in which he tried to void his rice contract, Norton left San Francisco. He returned a few years later, apparently mentally unbalanced, claiming to be the emperor of the United States. Although he had no political power, and his influence extended only so far as he was humored by those around him, he was treated deferentially in San Francisco, and currency issued in his name was honored in the establishments he frequented.
Though he was considered insane, or at least highly eccentric, the citizens of San Francisco celebrated his regal presence and his proclamations, most famously, his “order” that the United States Congress be dissolved by force (which Congress and the U.S. Army ignored) and his numerous decrees calling for a bridge and a tunnel to be built across San Francisco Bay.
[via, found by way of here. Cross-posted here.]
Tags: Emperor Norton
Sunday, 18 October 2009 at 1:12 AM
Maybe I should try self proclamation & see what I can achieve under the name of Emperor Tony. My first proclamation would be that blogging be made compulsory for every man, woman & child worldwide
Sunday, 18 October 2009 at 2:05 PM
Tony– Can I be the Czar of Cheesepuffs?
Thursday, 22 October 2009 at 12:32 AM
Sehr geEhrter Senor Bunk
He may perhaps have been MAD (which is not admitted)
BUT
He was an ENGLISH South African
AND
Just think of all the Mellifluent Happinesses that could and should have happened if he had been obeyed
NO CONGRESS
ergo
NO Civil War
No Annexation of Hawaii
We should NOW start campaigning fpr his Avatar to become President in 2008
If the Kindly Barack can become President, why not an Entertaining and Perceptve Penguin, however Finicky, but vastly worth visiting
Thursday, 22 October 2009 at 8:56 PM
GE– Dumping congress might be a good start. Watch the fireworks coming up.