Introduction

Abstract

When John Thomas North returned to England from Chile in 1882, hardly anyone would have noticed. But within three years, he would be labeled “Colonel North” in the national press, and shortly afterward recognized throughout the worldfrom Canada to New Zealandas “the nitrate king.” Before the decade was over, North was one of the richest men in the world. He was the subject of intense media attention, gossip, and the tongue-in-cheek sarcasm so typical of the times.

NORTH DENIALS. Colonel North has not offered the Government a cool three millions sterling for the contents of the National Gallery, and he has no intention of covering the walls of his dining-room with Old Masters obtained from such a source. The “Nitrate King” does not propose to wear a dress-coat embroidered with the Koh-i-noor and other Crown jewels at his next private hop. The Colonel has not purchased the Great Eastern, nor does he intend to fit it up as a floating palace, and invite the Prince of Wales to go “yotting” with him in it. The “Nitrate King” invariably uses a gold toothpick after dinner; but he is not in the habit of shaving with a diamond razor, and he doesn’t encourage Miss North to curl her fringe with brand-new Hank of England notes.

—Hampshire Telegraph and Sussex Chronicle, January 26, 1889