Titles may seem outdated and cumbersome to some, but for many, they are a symbol of the elite and nobility.
Such is the lure of elite and nobility that people would go to any lengths to get a noble title, even if it is an imaginary one
Baron Haussmann.
The man who facelifted the city of glamour and panache as we know and love today, Paris carried a quite lofty title. But surprisingly, George Eugene Haussmann or Baron Haussmann was not an actual Baron. No doubt, the man was a visionary who, under the rule of Napoleon III, redesigned Paris from being a shabby, sewage-strewn city. And the best part, he did this all without any formal training as Architect.
Scott Disick.
Anyone who has religiously followed the Kardashian clan and Keeping up with the Kardashian knows who Scott Disick is? He is Kourtney Kardashian ex-boyfriend and father of her three children. But that is not only his claim to fame. He self-style himself as a Lord after buying an old UK title over the internet. Such was his obsession with being noble and royal that he goes around calling himself Lord Disick. Don’t believe us; check out his social media accounts.
Joshua Norton.
Joshua Norton’s claim to fame is him being the Emperor of the United States. Before you rush for your history books to know about the royals of the United States, we want to clarify they don’t exist. Joshua Norton was a merchant born in London who came to the United States to fulfil the American dream. There he did make some money but lost it too. So, in the year 1859, he posted a decree in the San Francisco Bulletin proclaiming himself as Emperor of the United States. He became a local celebrity because of his military attire and issuing decrees frequently. He was provided free meals and free transport, and when in the year 1880, he finally passed away, almost ten thousand people came to say farewell to their cuckoo but loved Emperor.
Benedict XIII, the Antipope.
In the year 1394, a man named claimed himself as Pope in the presence of an already sanctioned Pope and became Benedict XIII, the Antipope. This was not for jest, but serious business as this man remained Antipope for almost thirty years. After his death, another Antipope emerged. This saga continued till the two churches reconciled, and there was at last just one Pope.
So, what do you think about titles? Would you like to give yourself one?
