Emperor Norton
A San Francisco eccentric who declared himself emperor, becoming a beloved civic figure celebrated for his harmless, whimsical decrees.
1818–1880 (age 62)·Self-proclaimed Emperor of the United States·Birthday: February 4
Biography
Joshua Abraham Norton arrived in San Francisco during the Gold Rush, first making and then losing a fortune in rice speculation. In 1859, perhaps broken by his financial collapse or performing an elaborate piece of street theater, he issued a proclamation declaring himself Emperor of the United States. Instead of being ridiculed into obscurity, he was adopted by the city. San Franciscans played along, accepting the currency he issued, tipping their hats, and letting him eat for free. He patrolled the streets in an elaborate military uniform, inspecting sidewalks and cable cars, and published decrees in newspapers—some bizarre, others surprisingly prescient, like an order to form a League of Nations. When he died, thousands attended his funeral, mourning not a madman but a cherished symbol of San Francisco's tolerant, quirky soul.
#1 When Emperor Was Born
The biggest hits of 1818
Emperor's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1818Born
1823Started school
1831Became a teenager
1834Could drive
1836Could vote
1839Turned 21
1848Turned 30
1858Turned 40
1868Turned 50
President: Andrew Johnson
1878Turned 60
President: Rutherford B. Hayes
1880Died at 62
Edison patents the incandescent light bulb
President: Rutherford B. Hayes
Key Achievements
- Issued a famous 1859 proclamation in the San Francisco Bulletin, declaring himself Emperor Norton I.
- His published decrees included an order to dissolve the United States Congress and a call for a bridge to be built across San Francisco Bay.
- Became such an institution that the city of San Francisco paid for a new imperial uniform when his grew shabby.
- His funeral was attended by an estimated 10,000 to 30,000 people, a massive turnout for the era.
Did You Know?
He once issued a decree ordering the arrest of the Governor of Virginia after hearing about John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry.
The San Francisco Police Department once arrested a officer for committing the 'treasonous' act of arresting Emperor Norton for vagrancy.
Mark Twain, who lived in San Francisco at the time, is believed to have used Norton as inspiration for the King in 'Huckleberry Finn.'
He is buried in the Woodlawn Memorial Park in Colma, California.
“Whoever after due and proper warning shall be heard to utter the abominable word 'Frisco' shall pay a twenty-five dollar fine.”
