This… Well, this is, in my opinion, freaking awesome. A very interesting look at how one man can influence an entire community… for the better. Even though he was out of his mind.
From the article:
“Beginning on September 17, 1859, the United States was unofficially “ruled” by Joshua A. Norton, a penniless San Francisco oddball who, in a fit of inspired lunacy, declared himself “Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico.” Amused San Franciscans humored “Norton I’s” delusions of grandeur, and over the next 20 years he became a local celebrity, winning adoration from his subjects and literary tributes from the likes of Mark Twain and Robert Louis Stevenson.”
Enjoy. 🙂
The Universal Share Blog 