NEUHOF. TII•ODO vox, Baron, 16864756; b. in Metz,IVestphalia; became a lieut. in an Alsace regiment, but soon left on account of his poverty, indebtedness, and, it is said, a duel. From this time he wandered about Europe, making use of his title and address to contract new debts. In Spain lie met with some success, was offered a colonel's commission, and was engaged to marry one of the queen's ladies of honor. Finding that her dowry was less than represented, he fled with her jewels. In 1735 he became inter ested iu the Corsican movement to assert the independence of Genoa, and in the following year persuaded the dey of Tunis to intrust to his command two regiments, with supplies and ammunition. Landing in Corsica in March, he was received with enthusiasm. Exag. gerated and totally false ideas as to his rink in nobilityand his influence with the govern ments of Europe were promulgated. and in April he was elected king under the title of
Theodore I. His reign lasted but eight months, during which time lie made great display personally and formed a new order.of knighthood. Ills promises of foreign assistance were not realized, though the Netherlands made some vague treaty of alliance; and when in 1738 the French came to the aid of the Genoese, the Corsican cause was lost and Neu hof fled. After the departure of the French, 1741-42, Neuhof found that his popularity had vanished and that his life was in danger. He tied again to England, where he was imprisoned for debt by his Dutch creditors he had in 1738 mortgaged two Corsican cities for funds to carry on the war), and wIt.9 released in 1756, a few months before his death, by the assistance and intercession of Horace Walpole.