Joseph Bonaparte
Giuseppe di Buonaparte entered the world on the 7th of January 1768 in Corte, the capital of the Corsican Republic. His parents were Carlo Buonaparte and Maria Letizia Ramolino. The year he was born marked a turning point for his island home as France invaded Corsica. The following year brought full conquest by French forces. Carlo Buonaparte had once supported Pasquale Paoli, a leader of Corsican patriots. He later shifted allegiance to back French rule over the island.
Joseph pursued legal studies to build a career path distinct from military service. This training allowed him to serve as a lawyer before entering politics. He held positions within the Council of Five Hundred during the revolutionary period. His diplomatic skills led to an appointment as ambassador to the Papal States. These roles established his reputation before any royal titles arrived.
In 1799, Joseph used his seat in the Council of Five Hundred to assist Napoleon. They worked together to overthrow the Directory government that ruled France at the time. On the 30th of September 1800, he signed the Treaty of Mortefontaine as Minister Plenipotentiary. Charles Pierre Claret de Fleurieu and Pierre Louis Roederer signed alongside him. This treaty created friendship and commerce between France and the United States.
War erupted between France and Austria in 1805 when Ferdinand IV of Naples declared support for Austria. A large Anglo-Russian force landed in his kingdom shortly after. Napoleon defeated these forces decisively at the Battle of Austerlitz on the 5th of December. Ferdinand lost his throne following this defeat. Napoleon issued a proclamation from Schönbrunn on the 27th of December 1805 declaring Ferdinand had forfeited his kingdom.
Joseph received orders from Napoleon on the 31st of December to move to Rome. He was assigned command of the army sent to dispossess Ferdinand. Marshal Masséna held effective command while General St. Cyr served second. St. Cyr resigned in protest over being made subordinate to Masséna before returning to his post under Napoleon's order. The French invasion force crossed into Naples on the 8th of February 1806 with forty thousand men.
Masséna and General Reynier advanced south from Rome while Giuseppe Lechi led forces down the Adriatic coast from Ancona. Joseph attached himself to Reynier on his brother's recommendation. The advance faced little resistance as British troops withdrew to Sicily and Russians retreated to Corfu. King Ferdinand fled to Palermo on the 23rd of January while Queen Maria-Carolina followed on the 11th of February.
The fortress of Gaeta presented an obstacle when its governor Prince Louis of Hesse-Philippsthal refused surrender. Capua opened its gates after token resistance. Masséna took possession of Naples on the 14th of February and Joseph entered triumphantly the next day. Reynier seized control of the Strait of Messina and defeated the Neapolitan Royal Army at Campo Tenese on the 9th of March.
Napoleon issued a decree on the 30th of March 1806 installing Joseph as King of Naples and Sicily. The document stated that the crown would be hereditary by primogeniture in male descendants. Joseph arrived warmly greeted by cheering crowds eager for a monarch they could like.
Joseph reluctantly left Naples where he was popular to arrive in Spain where he became extremely unpopular. Opponents tried to smear his reputation by calling him Joe Bottle due to alleged heavy drinking accusations. These claims echoed through later Spanish historiography despite Joseph being abstemious about alcohol consumption. His arrival sparked massive revolt against French rule beginning the Peninsular War.
A reaction formed against new institutions and ideas according to historian J.M. Thompson. People sought loyalty to the hereditary crown of the Most Catholic kings while Napoleon placed a Frenchman on the throne. The Catholic Church faced persecution from republicans who had desecrated churches and murdered priests. Local rights and privileges threatened by centralized government fueled resistance movements across the country.
Joseph temporarily retreated with much of the French army to northern Spain feeling himself in an ignominious position. He proposed abdication hoping Napoleon would sanction his return to the Neapolitan Throne. Napoleon dismissed these misgivings out of hand sending heavy reinforcements to assist Joseph maintaining his position as King of Spain.
Despite recapturing Madrid easily, nominal control over many cities remained tenuous at best. Near-constant conflict plagued his reign with pro-Bourbon guerrillas fighting back. Joseph never established complete control over the country plagued by military failures. Spanish supporters called themselves Afrancesados or frenchified during his rule ending the Spanish Inquisition partly because Napoleon was at odds with Pope Pius VII.
His foreign birth and Masonic lodge membership virtually guaranteed he would never be accepted as legitimate by most Spanish people. Venezuela declared independence from Spain during Joseph's rule showing his lack of influence over ongoing events. His nominal command of French forces proved mostly illusory as commanders checked with Napoleon before following instructions.
Bonaparte traveled to the United States aboard the Commerce under the name M. Bouchard. British naval officers searched the vessel three times but never found Bonaparte on board. The ship arrived on the 15th of July 1815 carrying him safely away from European conflicts. He lived primarily in the United States between 1817 and 1832 selling jewels taken from Spain to fund his life.
He first settled in New York City and Philadelphia where his house became a center for French emigres. In 1823, he was elected member to the American Philosophical Society recognizing his intellectual contributions. Later he purchased an estate called Point Breeze formerly owned by Stephen Sayre located in Bordentown, New Jersey.
Joseph considerably expanded Sayre's home creating extensive gardens in the picturesque style. When his first home burned down in January 1820, he constructed a second grander house. Upon completion it was viewed as the second-finest house in America after the White House. At Point Breeze, Bonaparte entertained many leading intellectuals and politicians of his day.
Quaker scientist Reuben Haines III described the estate in summer 1825 writing about royal fare served on solid silver attended by six waiters. Guests enjoyed nine courses while riding through parks filled with Rhododendrons along artificial lakes gliding majestic European swans. Visitors admired statues and busts of Parian marble alongside tame deer and Woodcock flights. The mansion featured rooms decorated with paintings by Coregeo, Titian, Rubens, Vandyke, Vernet, Tenniers, and Paul Potter.
Bonaparte married Marie Julie Clary daughter of François Clary and his wife on the 1st of August 1794 in Cuges-les-Pins, France. They had three daughters including Julie Joséphine born in Genoa on the 29th of February 1796 who died there on the 6th of June 1797. Zénaïde Laetitia Julie arrived in Paris on the 8th of July 1801 dying in Naples on the 8th of August 1854. Charlotte Napoléone was born in Paris on the 31st of October 1802 passing away in Sarzana on the 2nd of March 1839.
He identified the two surviving daughters as his heirs after their mother's death. Joseph also fathered two children with Maria Giulia Colonna known as Countess of Atri. Giulio was born on the 9th of September 1807 and died unmarried without issue in 1836. Teresa arrived between the 30th of September and the 29th of October 1808 but died in infancy shortly after birth.
Two American daughters were born at Point Breeze estate to mistress Annette Savage from Philadelphia called Madame de la Folie. Pauline Josephann Holton lived from 1819 until the 6th of December 1823 while Caroline Charlotte Delafolie survived from New Jersey in 1822 until the 25th of December 1890. Caroline married Colonel Zebulon Howell Benton of Jefferson County, New York having four daughters and three sons.
Bonaparte had two more sons by Émilie Hémart Lacoste wife of Félix Lacoste founder of Courrier des États-Unis. Félix-Joseph-François Lacoste was born in Philadelphia on the 22nd of March 1825 dying in Paris or Neuilly on the 15th of February 1922. Another son named Lacoste was born same day in Philadelphia County but died young.
Joseph Bonaparte gained admission to Marseille's lodge la Parfaite Sincérité in 1793 marking his entry into Freemasonry circles. He received requests from brother Napoleon to monitor freemasonry as Grand Master of the Grand Orient of France between 1804 and 1815. This role required oversight of Masonic activities across French territories during turbulent political times.
He founded the Grand Lodge National of Spain in 1809 establishing organizational structures for Spanish Masons. With Cambacérès he encouraged post-Revolution rebirth of the Freemasonry Order in France helping restore its presence after years of suppression. These efforts connected his political career directly with fraternal organizations operating throughout Europe and beyond.
Historical records show Joseph maintained active participation in Masonic affairs while holding royal titles. His leadership positions allowed him to influence policy decisions affecting religious orders and civil liberties within conquered territories. The intersection of his political power and Masonic affiliations created unique opportunities for reforming institutions like the Spanish Inquisition.
The Joseph Bonaparte Gulf exists in Northern Territory Australia named specifically after him honoring his historical significance. Lake Bonaparte sits located in town of Diana, New York United States also bearing his name today. These geographical features preserve memory of a man who never returned to rule either kingdom permanently.
Romantic web among Joseph Bonaparte Napoleon Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte Julie Clary and Désirée Clary became subject matter for Annemarie Selinko's novel Désir published in 1951. This story explored complex relationships between family members during revolutionary era conflicts. The novel adapted as film same name released 1954 featuring Cameron Mitchell portraying Joseph Bonaparte on screen.
His body returned to France buried at Les Invalides in Paris after death in Florence Italy on the 28th of July 1844. Historical markers stand at locations including 260 S 9th St Philadelphia PA commemorating his American years. Books received awards recognizing biographical works about him such as first place book award from New Jersey Council for Humanities in 2006.
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Common questions
When and where was Joseph Bonaparte born?
Giuseppe di Buonaparte entered the world on the 7th of January 1768 in Corte, the capital of the Corsican Republic. His parents were Carlo Buonaparte and Maria Letizia Ramolino.
What positions did Joseph Bonaparte hold before becoming king?
Joseph pursued legal studies to build a career path distinct from military service and served as a lawyer before entering politics. He held positions within the Council of Five Hundred during the revolutionary period and served as ambassador to the Papal States.
How did Joseph Bonaparte become King of Naples?
Napoleon issued a decree on the 30th of March 1806 installing Joseph as King of Naples and Sicily after Ferdinand IV lost his throne following the Battle of Austerlitz. The document stated that the crown would be hereditary by primogeniture in male descendants.
Why was Joseph Bonaparte unpopular in Spain?
His foreign birth and Masonic lodge membership virtually guaranteed he would never be accepted as legitimate by most Spanish people. Opponents tried to smear his reputation by calling him Joe Bottle due to alleged heavy drinking accusations despite Joseph being abstemious about alcohol consumption.
Where did Joseph Bonaparte live after leaving Europe?
Bonaparte traveled to the United States aboard the Commerce under the name M. Bouchard and arrived on the 15th of July 1815 carrying him safely away from European conflicts. He lived primarily in the United States between 1817 and 1832 selling jewels taken from Spain to fund his life while residing in New York City, Philadelphia, and Bordentown, New Jersey.
When and where did Joseph Bonaparte die?
Joseph Bonaparte died in Florence Italy on the 28th of July 1844. His body returned to France buried at Les Invalides in Paris after death.