Leon Ray Livingston
Encyclopedia
Leon Ray Livingston was a famous hobo
, travelling under the name "A No.1". He perfected the hobo
symbols system, which lets other homeless people know where there are more or less generous people, free food, vicious dogs, etc. He was not a poor man; he simply preferred a life of travelling the country by train to sitting at home. He has been lauded by many American historians as the King of the Hoboes, and has followings all over the USA.
Livingston wrote several books on travelling the hobo way, bringing attention not only to the state of the homeless in America, but also to the excitement and benefits of travelling the country for amusement. He lived and published his books in Erie, PA and Cambridge Springs, PA.
During his later life, he continued to roam the country, but spoke out against youngsters following him. "I began out of necessity, continued because I loved the life, and now because I know nothing else." He was buried under a grave marked "A No. 1 At rest at last".
His book From Coast to Coast with Jack London (ISBN 99903-46-63-1) became the basis for the movie Emperor of the North, directed by Robert Aldrich
, 1973.
Hobo
A hobo is a term which is often applied to a migratory worker or homeless vagabond, often penniless. The term originated in the Western—probably Northwestern—United States during the last decade of the 19th century. Unlike 'tramps', who work only when they are forced to, and 'bums', who do not...
, travelling under the name "A No.1". He perfected the hobo
Hobo
A hobo is a term which is often applied to a migratory worker or homeless vagabond, often penniless. The term originated in the Western—probably Northwestern—United States during the last decade of the 19th century. Unlike 'tramps', who work only when they are forced to, and 'bums', who do not...
symbols system, which lets other homeless people know where there are more or less generous people, free food, vicious dogs, etc. He was not a poor man; he simply preferred a life of travelling the country by train to sitting at home. He has been lauded by many American historians as the King of the Hoboes, and has followings all over the USA.
Livingston wrote several books on travelling the hobo way, bringing attention not only to the state of the homeless in America, but also to the excitement and benefits of travelling the country for amusement. He lived and published his books in Erie, PA and Cambridge Springs, PA.
During his later life, he continued to roam the country, but spoke out against youngsters following him. "I began out of necessity, continued because I loved the life, and now because I know nothing else." He was buried under a grave marked "A No. 1 At rest at last".
His book From Coast to Coast with Jack London (ISBN 99903-46-63-1) became the basis for the movie Emperor of the North, directed by Robert Aldrich
Robert Aldrich
Robert Aldrich was an American film director, writer and producer, notable for such films as Kiss Me Deadly , The Big Knife , What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? , Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte , The Flight of the Phoenix , The Dirty Dozen , and The Longest Yard .-Biography:Robert...
, 1973.