Most decidedly in a league of his own, this man was a familiar site around town with his two mongrel dogs, Bummer and Lazarus always nearby.

Born Joshua Norton, he lost his money (and part of his mind) while trying to corner the rice market in 1853.

Shortly thereafter he emerged as the self-proclaimed and festooned Norton the First, Emperor of the United States and Defender of Mexico. He made edicts, printed his own money, and wrote to other (real) monarchs with suggestions to them on how to better govern.