Based upon an actual person, Emperor Norton I was born Joshua Abraham Norton (c.1818 – January 8, 1880). He was a well known character in 19th century San Francisco, he issued his own currency which he sold to tourists, and published decrees. Over 30,000 people attended his funeral. In reality and in Sandman, Norton was a failed businessman on the verge of ruin and despair. For the purposes of the story, his delusion that he was, in fact, Emperor of the United States was instilled by Dream in the course of a wager with Desire and Despair.