Insane Facts About Joshua Norton, The "Emperor" Of The US
Joshua Abraham Norton—also known as Emperor Norton—was a man of many mysteries. He left his mark in the history of the United States as the country's “only emperor”...but was he an emperor? That’s the question everyone asks.
Regardless, his life was a perfect mixture of scandals and glamour.
1. He Had An Uncertain Future
Born in London in 1818, Joshua Abraham Norton experienced a massive upheaval right out of the gates. When he was only two, his family joined the 1820 Settlers, who were part of a grand colonial scheme. That scheme was downright bizarre: The government encouraged them to move to South Africa.
Wishing to have a fresh start, Norton's made the drastic move, and it set him on his infamous path.
2. His Father "Made" It
At first, it seemed like little Norton and his family got their fresh start. The head of the family, John Norton, had a good run as a successful businessman.
Although there isn’t much information on John Norton’s business, we know that the Norton family were living in good conditions. However, a downfall was coming.
3. They Were Bankrupt
After a while, Norton's father lost his momentum, and he never got it back. The consequences were devastating. In letters, the patriarch revealed he was completely ruined, and had no money at all to leave his sons. He had to file for bankruptcy, falling into depression because he couldn’t leave anything to his family.
Our little Norton now didn't have a penny to his name, and he came up with a wild plan to claw back a fortune.
The Story of Norton I: Emperor of the United States (1936), Columbia Pictures
4. He Fled The Country
In 1845, Norton decided to find his own fate. That November, he left his family in Cape Town, and within a few months he was sailing on the ship Sunbeam toward Boston. After all, the United States was the land of endless opportunities. The young immigrant soon landed in Massachusetts, then went on to San Francisco.
Surprisingly, instead of a head full of fears, he had something else.
