Carlo Buonaparte
Guglielmo di Buonaparte served on Florence's Ghibelline-controlled municipal council during the 13th century. When the rival Guelphs faction seized power, Guglielmo and his family fled to Sarzana. Francesco di Buonaparte sailed from Liguria to Corsica in the 16th century seeking a new life. Carlo Maria Buonaparte was born in Ajaccio, Corsica, on the 27th of March 1746. His parents were Giuseppe Maria Buonaparte and Maria Saveria Paravicini. The family had deep roots in Tuscany before migrating to the island. Carlo’s older sister Maria Gertrude was born in 1741. Sebastiano followed as a brother in 1743. In 1749 Carlo's father represented Ajaccio at the Council of Corte.
Carlo initially followed in his father's footsteps by studying law at the University of Pisa. He left before earning his degree after receiving a substantial inheritance from his father's death. On the 2nd of June 1764 he married fourteen-year-old Maria Letizia Ramolino. The Ramolinos descended from noble Lombard antecedents established in Corsica for 250 years. Their marriage was arranged by their families with economic convenience as one factor. Cultural compatibility regarding speech dialect and church habits mattered greatly. Buonaparte's wife brought a dowry of thirty-one acres including a mill and bakery. This land yielded an annual income of roughly £10,000. They had a son named Napoleone who died in infancy in 1765.
Pasquale Paoli sent Carlo to Rome to negotiate with Pope Clement XIII in 1766. He returned to Corsica in 1768 when the Republic of Genoa offered the island to Louis XV. France gained ownership of Corsica while many of Paoli's supporters fled to the mountains. Buonaparte and his family eventually returned to the town where his wife gave birth to a fourth child named Napoleone. Soon after the French acquisition Carlo embraced the new government. He was appointed Assessor of the Royal Jurisdiction of Ajaccio on the 20th of September 1769. Shortly after that he became a Doctor of Law at the University of Pisa on the 27th of November 1769.
The French administration created a Corsican Order of Nobility in April 1770. Buonaparte became an advocate of the Superior Council of Corsica on the 11th of December 1769. He served as Substitute Procurator of the King of France in Ajaccio in October 1770. He possessed the title of Noble Patrician of Tuscany since 1769 by permission of the Archbishop of Pisa. His nobility was confirmed on the 13th of September 1771. He became Deputy of the Nobility in the General States of Corsica on the 13th of September 1771. In July 1777 he was named Deputy of the Nobility of Corsica at the Royal French Court. Finally he was named Corsica's representative to the Court of Louis XVI at Versailles in 1778.
Buonaparte noted his situation in his account book stating he received 4,000 francs from the King but returned without a penny. His apparent fondness for gambling worsened his monetary difficulties rapidly. By 1782 he was growing weak and suffering from constant pain. He travelled to Montpellier to seek proper medical care. Nothing could be done to quell the effects of what was believed to be stomach cancer. Buonaparte died on the 24th of February 1785 leaving his surviving wife and eight children penniless. Jérôme his youngest son was born three months before he died.
Carlo Buonaparte's marriage to Letizia Ramolino produced thirteen children between 1765 and 1784. Five died two at birth and three in infancy. Eight children survived including Joseph Bonaparte who became King of Naples and Spain. Napoleon Bonaparte became Emperor of the French after Carlo's death. Lucien Bonaparte held the title Prince of Canino and Musignano. Elisa Bonaparte served as Princess of Lucca and Piombino. Louis Bonaparte reigned as King of Holland. Pauline Bonaparte became Sovereign Princess and Duchess of Guastalla. Caroline Bonaparte was Grand Duchess of Berg and Cleves. Jérôme Bonaparte ruled Westphalia until his death in 1860.
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Common questions
When was Carlo Maria Buonaparte born and where?
Carlo Maria Buonaparte was born in Ajaccio, Corsica on the 27th of March 1746. His parents were Giuseppe Maria Buonaparte and Maria Saveria Paravicini.
Who did Carlo Maria Buonaparte marry and when did they wed?
On the 2nd of June 1764 he married fourteen-year-old Maria Letizia Ramolino. The marriage was arranged by their families with economic convenience as one factor.
What political roles did Carlo Maria Buonaparte hold under French rule?
He was appointed Assessor of the Royal Jurisdiction of Ajaccio on the 20th of September 1769. He later became Deputy of the Nobility in the General States of Corsica on the 13th of September 1771 and served as Corsica's representative to the Court of Louis XVI at Versailles in 1778.
How did Carlo Maria Buonaparte die and what was his financial situation?
Buonaparte died on the 24th of February 1785 leaving his surviving wife and eight children penniless. Nothing could be done to quell the effects of what was believed to be stomach cancer after he travelled to Montpellier for medical care.
Which of Carlo Maria Buonaparte's children became rulers or nobles?
Napoleon Bonaparte became Emperor of the French after Carlo's death while Joseph Bonaparte became King of Naples and Spain. Lucien Bonaparte held the title Prince of Canino and Musignano and Louis Bonaparte reigned as King of Holland.