MURAT, Napoleon Achille, French Amer ican author: h. Paris, 21 Jan. 1801; d. Was ceissa, Leon County, Fla., 15 April 1847. He was the son of Joachim Murat, king of Naples, and before his father's overthrow bore the title of Prince of the Two Sicilies. When his father lost the throne he sought refuge in Aus tria, where he received his education. In 1821 he came to the United States, and after an ex tended tour through the country bought a large estate and settled near Tallahassee, Fla., where he devoted himself to farming and literary work; he also gave largely to and was active in philanthropic enterprises. He became a United States citizen, and in 1824 was made alderman of the city of Tallahassee, in 1825 mayor and in 1826 postmaster. He accom panied Lafayette during most of his visit to the United States, and at that time was introduced to Catharina Dudley, a grandniece of Washing ton, whom he afterward married. He refused
many offers of political advancement, and lived quietly on his estate. In 1823 he published in the Paris Revue Trimestrielle a series of let ters on political parties in the United States, which were later published as d'un Citoyen des Etats Unis ii ses Amis d'Europe'; in 1838 he published morales et poli tiques sur les Etats Unis d'Amerique' ; and des Principes du Gouvernement republicain tel qu'il a ite perfectionne en Amerique' (Exposition of the Principles of Republican Government as Perfected in Amer ica). This latter work was very popular i among those of republican sympathies in Europe, was translated into several different languages and passed through over 50 editions. Consult MacConnell, The Prince and Princess Achille Murat in Florida' (Century Magazine, New York 1893).