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Bonaparte, Joseph 1768-1844
King of Naples and Sicily, and King of Spain

Born in Corte, Corsica, he was the eldest surviving son of Charles and Marie Bonaparte, and brother of Napoleon I. He married (1794) Julie Clary (1771-1845), elder sister of Desirée Bernadotte. He served Napoleon on diplomatic missions and was a humane sovereign in southern Italy, where he finally abolished feudalism, and reorganized justice, finance and education. In Spain he faced continuous rebellion and in 1813 his army was defeated by Wellington at Vittoria. He spent much of his later life in exile in New Jersey but settled in Florence for his last years.

Bibliography: Michael Ross, The Reluctant King: Joseph Bonaparte, King of the Two Sicilies and Spain (1976)