Joshua Norton: Self-Proclaimed Emperor of the World

Joshua Abraham Norton

Joshua Abraham Norton was an unfortunate, insane man who became famous for his claims of sovereignty over the United States. For years, he believed he was the Emperor of the United States and told anyone who would listen as much. He also attempted to create laws and exercise authority over the government. Oddly, instead of being committed, he became something of a sideshow in San Francisco. People were so enamored with his act, that some even referred to him as "His Majesty." Of course, this only fed into the poor man's delusion, with which he died.

Joshua Abraham Norton was born in London, England around 1818. Soon after he was born, his parents moved the family to South Africa. Joshua grew up in South Africa and tried to seek his fortunes there, but he met with little success. In 1849, when he was about 20-years-old, Joshua Abraham Norton moved from Africa to the United States, where he settled in San Francisco.

When Joshua Abraham Norton moved to San Francisco, he began work as a commodities merchant. He met with a measure of success, but his mental health was declining all the while. In 1958, he reached the end of his rope when he went bankrupt. His mental situation continued to get worse until he succumbed to his life's greatest delusion in 1858. That year, he stated that, "At the preemptory request and desire of the citizens of the United States, I, Joshua Norton, declare and proclaim myself Emperor of these United States." His self-appointed official title was Norton I, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico.

For more than twenty years, Joshua Norton harbored the delusion that he was Emperor of the United States. He even issued "decrees," obviously to no effect. Making light of Norton's condition, several newspapers editors published fake decrees, but there are several that are likely to have been Norton's handiwork. One of his decrees in 1860 ordered the dissolution of the United States.

Joshua Abraham Norton was a beloved, if neglected, character. He was allowed to wander the streets in his military regalia, complete with a silly feathered hat and a sword, largely unimpeded. In fact, when a policeman tried to step in and get "The Emperor" medical help, people complained. He was released and rumor has it that police began saluting him after this event. Writer Samuel Clemens (a.k.a. Mark Twain) met Norton while he was working in San Francisco. Years later, he based the Huckleberry Finn character King off Joshua.

On January 8, 1880, Joshua Abraham Norton died on the streets of San Francisco. Two days later, his funeral was attended by 10,000 people. Unfortunately, he was not cured of his insanity before his death. However, apart from the obvious financial problems his insanity caused him, he seemed to be harmless and unharmed by his illness.

Sources

Joshua A. Norton, retrieved 3/20/11, sfmuseum.org/hist!/norton.html

Joshua Abraham Norton, retrieved 3/20/11, pbs.org/weta/thewest/people/i_r/norton.htm