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Emperor Norton

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Joshua Abraham Norton (February 4, 1818 – January 8, 1880), known as Emperor Norton, was a citizen of San Francisco, California, who proclaimed himself "Norton I, Emperor of the United States" in 1859. In 1863 he took the secondary title of "Protector of Mexico" after Napoleon III invaded Mexico. Norton was born in England but spent most of his early life in South Africa. He sailed west after the death of his mother in 1846 and his father in 1848, arriving in San Francisco possibly in November 1849.Norton initially made a living as a businessman, but he lost his fortune investing in Peruvian rice to sell in China due to a Chinese rice shortage. He bought rice at 12 cents per pound from Peruvian ships, but more Peruvian ships arrived in port which caused the price to drop sharply to 4 cents. He then lost a lawsuit in which he tried to void his rice contract, and his public prominence faded. He re-emerged in September 1859, laying claim to the position of Emperor of the United States. Though Norton received many favors from the city, merchants also capitalized on his notoriety by selling souvenirs bearing his name. "San Francisco lived off the Emperor Norton," Norton's biographer William Drury wrote, "not Norton off San Francisco."Norton had no formal political power; nevertheless, he was treated deferentially in San Francisco, and currency issued in his name was honored in the establishments that he frequented. Some considered him insane or eccentric, but citizens of San Francisco celebrated his imperial presence and his proclamations, such as his order that the United States Congress be dissolved by force and his numerous decrees calling for the construction of a bridge and tunnel crossing San Francisco Bay to connect San Francisco with Oakland.

Emperor Norton - Wikipedia Jump to content From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Self-proclaimed Emperor of the United States (1818–1880) For the record label, see Emperor Norton Records . "Joshua Norton" redirects here. For the artist, see Joshua Norton (artist) . Emperor Norton Norton, c. 1871–72 Born Joshua Abraham Norton ( 1818-02-04 ) February 4, 1818 Deptford , England Died January 8, 1880 (1880-01-08) (aged 61) San Francisco, California , U.S. Resting place Woodlawn Memorial Park , Colma, Calif. (originally buried in the Masonic Cemetery, San Francisco, Calif.; reburied in Woodlawn in 1

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