Posted 3:13 PM by ill
Emperor Norton I

My illness and overall unwillingness to get out of bed let an important date pass without comment. Such a monumental occasion should never have been overlooked and I was wrong for doing it. But as the old saying goes... Better late than never.

Happy Birthday Emperor Norton I.


Born on February 14th 1819, Norton I was Americas first and only Emperor. After losing all his money (a considerable amount considering the time) trying to corner the San Francisco rice market, Norton I publicly declared himself Emperor.

"At the peremtory request of a large majority of the citizens of these United States, I, Joshua Norton, formerly of Algoa Bay, Cape of Good Hope, and now for the past nine years and ten months of San Francisco, California, declare and proclaim myself Emperor of these U.S., and in virtue of the authority thereby in me vested, do hereby order and direct the representatives of the different States of the Union to assemble in the Musical Hall of this city on the 1st day of February next, then and there to make such alterations in the existing laws of the Union as may ameliorate the evils under which the country is laboring, and thereby cause confidence to exist, both at home and abroad, in our stability and integrity."

September 1859

Throughout his illustrious career, Norton I would make many proclamations, some of which were even considered by government, on how the country should be run. Considered a bit... eccentric, and often his proclamations were for things such as Abolishing Congress, Firing Governor Wise, and Firing Abraham Lincoln. He even had his own currency which was accepted throughout San Francisco (only from him).

More than just a "kook" Norton I did some amazing things. At that time, Anti-Chinese uprisings were common. At the apex of one very heated vigilante mob. Norton I stood in the middle of the street bowed his head and recited the Lord's Prayer. This shamed the mob so that they left peacefully and carried out none of the actions they threatened.

He was the first to call for a "League of Nations" to help settle disputes peacefully.

Norton I was an icon of America. If nothing else he was the embodiment of everything America is, was, and could be. Only in America can a man declare himself Emperor, publish edicts, and live entirely off a community that loved him for his odd ways. Think perhaps he wasn't as loved as all that?

In 1880 Norton I died. Over 30,000 people turned up for his funeral and procession was over two miles long.


Le Roi Est Mort
San Francisco Chronicle
January 9, 1880

Last night at 8:15, Joshua Norton, universally known, and known almost only as Emperor Norton, died suddenly in this city. The similar death of the first citizen of San Francisco, or the highest municipal officer of the city, would not have caused so general a sensation as that of the harmless old man whose monomania never distorted at least a heart which was wholesome, and hardly affected a mind which had once been of the shrewdest, other than in the method of his sovereignty of the United States and Protectorate of Mexico. He had started from Kearny Street up California Street, with the intention of occupying a seat in the rooms of the Academy of Science during the debate of the Hastings Society. Almost as he reached the East line of Dupont Street on the south pavement of California, he halted for a moment, then staggered forward, halted again and then fell prone on the sidewalk. Wm. Proll, doing business at 537 California Street, was going up California Street immediately behind the Emperor, saw him fall, and hastened to aid him. With the assistance of others who quickly arrived, the Emperor was placed in a sitting posture on the wet pavement and his back supported against the wall of the corner house. His speechlessness and his head fallen forward on his breast indicated to the rapidly gathering crowd, every one of whom knew him and knew him to be highly temperate, that something serious had befallen him and the police officer on the beat hastened for a carriage to convey him to the City Receiving Hospital. Speedily as the hack had been procured, when it arrived at the place Norton was dead.

On the reeking pavement, in the darkness of a moonless night under the dripping rain, and surrounded by a hastily gathered crowd of wondering strangers, Norton I, by the grace of God, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico, departed this life. Other sovereigns have died with no more of kindly care--other sovereigns have died as they have lived with all the pomp of earthly majesty, but death having touched them, Norton I rises up the exact peer of the haughtiest King or Kaiser that ever wore a crown. Perhaps he will rise more than the peer of most of them. He had a better claim to kindly consideration than that his lot "forbade to wade through slaughter to a throne and shut the gates of mercy on mankind." Through his harmless proclamations can always be traced an innate gentleness of heat, a desire to effect uses and a courtesy, the possession of which would materially improve the bitterful living princes whose names will naturally suggest themselves.


Happy Birthday Emperor Norton I.