Joshua Abraham Norton came from England to the United States, and like thousands of others rushed to California to enlarge his already hefty fortune of $40,000. After amassing up to $250,000 at his peak, Norton eventually lost his fortune and his sanity. However neither losing his sanity,nor his fortune affected his ability to make an impact on his community.
- Emperor of the United States, 1859-1880
Good-looking, with a TOUCH of grandiosity, he declared himself Emperor of the United States. He boldly fired the President, and abolished Congress through a series of letters written to the San Francisco newspapers. Editors loved the flamboyant letters and published them, kicking off his 21 year reign as Emperor. Being penniless, he had to do something to support his expensive habits, so he printed his own money, and amazingly most vendors accepted it. He also taxed the citizens of San Francisco for various offenses such as referring to the city as Frisco. Though a bit crazy, he was well liked, for when he died, still penniless in actual U.S. currency, he was buried with the proper pomp and circumstance afforded an emperor, and 10,000 citizens attended his funeral. Not bad for a legitimately crazy, street person. I think I would have liked to meet him. :)
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| Are these the eyes of a crazy man? |
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