17 September 2026 marks 167 years since Joshua Abraham Norton published the proclamation declaring himself “Norton I, Emperor of these United States”. Norton was born in England and grew up in South Africa. He arrived in San Francisco during the Gold Rush and for a time built a fortune through business and property.

An unsuccessful rice investment caused severe losses. After years of litigation he reappeared in the city’s public life with an invented imperial identity. The proclamation was printed by the San Francisco Daily Evening Bulletin. Norton claimed to assume authority at the population’s request and called on state representatives to assemble and change the laws.

The title had no legal recognition, but residents gradually joined the performance. Norton wore an elaborate uniform, inspected the streets and sent proclamations to newspapers. Some restaurants served him free of charge; merchants accepted symbolic notes issued in his name, later collectors’ items.

He is often credited with proposing a bridge or tunnel between San Francisco and Oakland; the wording and authenticity of individual documents need care, and we do not treat them as an official project. We offer no retrospective medical diagnosis. The Museum of the City of San Francisco presents the episode as urban folklore: when he died in 1880, thousands attended the funeral.

Photo: Joshua Norton in uniform, around 1871–72. Period photograph, public domain via Wikimedia Commons.

Source consulted: Museum of the City of San Francisco — Emperor Norton.