On the morning of September 17, 1859, a notable figure walked into the offices of The San Francisco Evening Bulletin to declare an unusual proclamation – Joshua Norton, a South African man who had taken up residence in San Francisco, declared himself ‘Emperor of the United States’.
This declaration, which appeared in that evening’s edition of the newspaper, marked the beginning of an intriguing two-decade reign.
In light of the escalating political tensions regarding slavery, Norton’s proclamation urged representatives from across the nation to gather in San Francisco, aiming to amend the laws of the Union and alleviate the prevailing societal ills.
He was aware that even though the United States was spiraling towards civil war, he had no real authority, but his proclamation captured the public imagination.
As the Southern states began to secede following the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, the nation was on the brink of conflict, reflecting the chaotic political landscape that Norton observed.
Though the meeting he called to discuss his vision for America did not garner any attendees after the venue burned down, his eccentricity and charm made a lasting impact.
As modern figures like Elon Musk shape official narratives and policies, it is intriguing to look back at Norton, who, amidst chaos, sought to redefine American ideals in the 19th century.
Musk’s controversial governance, including his drastic measures for government reform and reductions in charitable funding, has polarized public opinion, with many praising his innovation while others express vehement dissent.
Unlike Musk, Norton did not hold official positions of power, yet he became a cult figure in San Francisco, embodying a deeply humanistic spirit.
As asserted by John Lumea, founder of the Emperor Norton Trust, Norton was indeed a visionary, ahead of his time in advocating for human rights.
His proclamations tackled a range of issues, from immigration and women’s rights to calls for unity against injustice.
Jane Ganahl, a co-founder of the San Francisco literary festival Litquake, highlighted the extraordinary nature of Norton’s belief system, describing him as a “19th-century man with 21st-century sensibilities.”
Reigning for over 20 years, Norton was not merely an eccentric; he wore a blue uniform adorned with brass epaulettes and wandered the streets, where he humorously demanded taxes and issued proclamations to both entertain and mobilize public sentiment.
Initially, these taxes were benign contributions from his friends, but as his circle diminished, he began selling promissory notes disguised as ‘imperial investments’.
Some banks even played along, producing currency featuring Norton’s name.
While his proclamations covered numerous whimsical topics, they also reflected a sincere concern for societal issues.
Lumea estimates that Norton published around 400 proclamations, many of which revealed a depth of kindness and empathy for the marginalized in society.
The Emperor died on January 8, 1880, collapsing in the streets of San Francisco at age 61.
The San Francisco Call documented his passing with a poignant tribute, referring to him as “Norton I, by the grace of God, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico.”
Post-mortem revelations painted a stark picture of Norton’s life – he had been managing life on the fringes of society.
He lived in a humble boarding house and owned very few possessions, including walking sticks, hats, and old coins from various countries.
In death, he garnered respect from the community, leading the Pacific Club to organize a significant funeral, drawing an estimated crowd of 10,000 participants representing all walks of life to pay their final respects.
Interestingly, Norton’s origins are shrouded in some mystery; Jewish circumcision records suggest he was born in Deptford, London, in February 1818.
Norton emigrated to South Africa with his family as part of the 1820 Settlers, intending to assist in establishing a British colony.
His upbringing afforded him certain privileges under British colonial rule in a politically charged environment filled with conflicts over land and resources.
Norton’s journey led him to America in search of opportunity during the California Gold Rush, where he initially found success through trading and real estate.
However, a failed business venture led to his dramatic financial downfall.
After miscalculating risks in the rice market, Norton faced legal challenges and subsequently declared bankruptcy, transitioning from a status of wealth to one of relative obscurity.
As the nation navigated turbulent times leading towards civil war, Norton’s frustration with the political climate prompted him to propose an absolute monarchy as a potential solution to America’s impending chaos.
His vision included a government led by an independent Emperor and Supreme Council, reflecting his disillusionment with the landscape of American democracy.
Norton even humorously ventured into politics by announcing a run for Congress, although he never appeared on the ballot.
Despite some of his proclamations being whimsical or comical, many resonated with themes of justice, human rights, and inclusivity.
He passionately advocated for equal treatment of African Americans and sought to protect the rights of Indigenous peoples.
His fervent support for Chinese immigrants during a period of intense racism and exclusion was particularly notable, as he issued numerous proclamations denouncing discrimination and advocating for equal rights.
After the 1871 race riots in Los Angeles, where numerous Chinese individuals lost their lives, he demanded accountability for the perpetrators, demonstrating his commitment to justice.
In a series of proclamations in 1872, he drew attention to public policy issues, including his dramatic calls for the construction of a bridge between San Francisco and Oakland.
Though the initial proposal for a bridge had been deemed impractical, Norton pushed the idea into the public consciousness.
He envisaged a bridge crossing San Francisco Bay, specifying its suspension design and ensuring it caused no harm to water navigation.
Even though these proclamations were not enacted under his governance, history later validated his vision—the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge came to fruition in 1936, closely aligning with Norton’s original proposal.
Beyond his proclamations, Norton was a beloved personality in San Francisco, where many locals supported him through small acts of kindness, from paying his tab in local taverns to accepting his currency in shops.
Oscar Penn Fitzgerald, a local Methodist minister, remarked on Norton’s curious idiosyncrasy, attributing his actions to a gentle nature that thrived amidst chaos.
Over the years, various legends and myths have risen around Norton, adding layers of complexity to his legacy.
Famed authors, including Mark Twain and Robert Louis Stevenson, drew inspiration from him, intertwining his story with the fabric of American literature.
Documentary representations of Norton’s life probed the epochs between fact and fiction, while the discovery of historical documents illuminated his real identity and the deeper essence of his proclamations.
Many of Norton’s most famous proclamations, like the one banning the term “Frisco” for San Francisco, are likely exaggerated or fabricated by the press for sensationalism.
As the public and media constructed Norton’s identity, they shaped him not just as a man, but as an enduring myth.
Lumea has devoted over a decade to unraveling the realities of Norton’s life against these myths, utilizing the digitization of historical archives to piece together a clearer portrait of a man whose legacy endures.
Ultimately, though only recognized locally during his life, Norton remains a figure synonymous with San Francisco’s spirit of inclusivity and acceptance.
Lumea concludes that to appreciate Norton’s impact is to acknowledge a narrative that champions marginalized voices and advocates for social justice from the peripheries of power.
Today, he stands as a symbol of the city’s ongoing commitment to diversity, acknowledging the crazy dreamers and visionaries that color its history.
image source from：https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2025/4/20/in-1859-a-south-african-declared-himself-emperor-of-the-united-states
