Leon Ray Livingston

Who was Leon Ray Livingston?

Leon Ray Livingston was a famous hobo and author, travelling under the name "A-No.1" and often referred to as "The Rambler." He perfected the hobo symbols system, which let other hoboes know where there are generous people, free food, jobs, vicious dogs, and so forth. He was not a poor man; he simply preferred a life of travelling the country by train to sitting at home. In his memoir The Ways of the Hobo, Livingston admitted that he was uneducated, but began his self-education at the age of thirty-five.

He has been lauded by many American historians as the King of the Hoboes and has followings all over the USA.

Livingston wrote twelve books on travelling the hobo way, one of which included a tale of his cross country adventures with author Jack London. His books brought 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, Pennsylvania, and Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania.