Joachim Murat
Joachim Murat, (March 25, 1767 - October 13, 1815), a marshal of France, was King of Naples from 1808 to 1815.
Life Account
He was born to Pierre Murat-Jordy (1721 - 1799) and Jeanne Loubieres (1721 - 1806). His father was an innkeeper.
Joachim rose in the French army to the rank of a general. He married Napoleon Bonaparte's sister Caroline on January 20, 1800, and was made a Marshal of France on May 18, 1804. Napoleon also granted him the title of "First Horseman of Europe".
He was appointed Grand Duke of Berg and Cleves on March 15, 1806 and held this title till August 1, 1808. He was named king of Naples on August 1, 1808.
A brilliant and dashing cavalry leader, Murat played an important part in Napoleon's victories. During Napoleon's defence of Tuileries (1795), Murat was successful in stealing forty cannon from the French National Guard. Without these cannon, Tuileries would have fallen, and the Directory would not have become the official government of France. Murat was equally useful in the Russian campaign (1812), and in the Battle of Leipzig (1813). After Leipzig, however, he reached (1814) an agreement with Austria in order to save his own throne. During the Hundred Days he deserted his new allies and re-joined Napoleon. Defeated by the Austrians at Tolentino, he fled to Corsica after Napoleon's fall. In an attempt to regain Naples he was arrested and executed.
- "When the fatal moment arrived, Murat walked with a firm step to the place of execution, -- as calm, as unmoved, as if he had been going to an ordinary review. He would not accept a chair, nor suffer his eyes to be bound. "I have braved death (said he) too often to fear it." He stood upright, proudly and undauntedly, with his countenance towards the soldiers; and when all was ready, he kissed a cornelian on which the head of his wife was engraved, and gave the word -- thus, "Save my face -- aim at my heart -- fire!""
Children
He and Caroline were parents to four children:
- Napoleon Achille Murat (1801 - 1847). He was married to Catherine Willis in 1826.
- Laetitia Josephine Murat (1802 - 1859). She was married to Guido-Taddeo, Marquess Pepoli in 1823.
- Prince Napoleon Lucien Charles Murat (May 16, 1803 - April 10, 1878). He was an associate of his first cousin Napoleon III of France. He married Caroline Georgina Fraser in 1831.
- Louise Julie Murat (March 22, 1805 - 1889). She married Giullio, Count Rasponi.
References
Information about Murat's work in Tuileries found in Blundering to Glory by Owen Connelly. pg.20-21.
See also
- Marshal Michel Ney who also gave the command to fire at his execution in 1815
- Neapolitan War
Trivia
One of his descendants is Rene Auberjonois.
External link
| Preceded by: Joseph I |
King of Naples | Succeeded by: Ferdinand IV |