BONAPARTE, Joseph, eldest brother of Napoleon I: b. Corte, Corsica, 7 Jan. 1768; d. Florence, Italy 28 July 1844. He was educated in France at the college of Autun, returned to Corsica in 1785 on his father's death, studied law, and in 1792 became a member of the new administration of Corsica under Paoli. In 1793, after Paoli had called in English he emigrated to Marseilles, and became broer in-law to Bernadotte, ,afterward King of Sweden, by marrying one of the dawhters of a wealthy banker named Clari. In 1796 he ac companied the army of Italy as commissary, in 1797 was elected a Corsican deputy to the Council of Eve Hundred, and shortly after was sent by the Directory, as ambassador to the Pope. He returned abruptly, and had not long resumed his seat in the Council of Five Hun dred, when his brother having become 1st Consul he was made councillor of state, and em ployed to negotiate a treaty with the United States. Shortly after, in 1801, he negotiated the peace of Luneville with the Emperor of Ger many, and in 1802 that of Amiens with Great Britain. Napoleon having now begun to parcel out kingdoms among his family, Joseph was made King of Naples and Sicily in 1806, but had reigned only two years when his brother recalled him and sent him to Madrid to be King of Spain and the Indies. His seat at Naples had
not been comfortable, and he now found himself on a bed of thorns. His kingship lasted noni inally for five years, but he was chased once and again from his capital, and the third time, in 1813, fled not to return. In these appoint ments Joseph was merely a tool in his brother's hands. In 1814, after the fatal expedition to Russia, Napoleon on setting out for the army made him lieutenant-general of the empire and head of the council of regency. After the battle of Waterloo he sailed for the United States and lived for some years at Bordentown, N. J., where he employed himself in agricul ture, and was highly esteemed by his neighbors. During his exile he assumed the title of Count de Survilliers. In 1832 he went to England and after residing there for ;ome time repaired to Italy, and spent his closing days in Florence. His wife appears to have been prevented by ill health from accompanying him to the United States. She survived her husband but a few months. There were two daughters. The elder became the wife of the eldest son of Lucien Bonaparte, and the younger was married to the second son of Louis Bonaparte.