Prince Achille Murat
| Achille Murat | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Prince Murat | |
| Tenure | 13 October 1815 – 15 April 1847 |
| Predecessor | Prince Joachim |
| Successor | Prince Lucien |
| Born | 21 January 1801 |
| Died | 15 April 1847 (aged 46) |
| Spouse | Catherine Willis Gray |
| Father | Joachim Murat |
| Mother | Caroline Bonaparte |
Charles Louis Napoleon Achille Murat (known as Achille, 21 January 1801 – 15 April 1847) was the eldest son of Joachim Murat, the brother-in-law of Napoleon who was appointed King of Naples during the First French Empire. After his father was deposed and executed by his own subjects, Achille Murat went into exile in Austria with his siblings and mother.
At the age of 21, Achille Murat emigrated to the United States and settled at St. Augustine, becoming a naturalized citizen (sometime after July, 1828) and dropping his European titles.
Achille Murat was born in the Hôtel de Brienne in Paris, France. His father was Joachim Murat, the son of an affluent farmer and innkeeper, who became one of Napoleon's loyal band. Joachim Murat was appointed Marshal of France for his military service, and was later awarded royal positions by Napoleon under the First French Empire, including the throne of the Kingdom of Naples.
Achille's mother was Caroline Bonaparte, sister of Napoleon. She was styled Grand Duchess of Berg and Queen of Naples, while Achille was considered a prince.
Murat's governess was Catherine Davies from Anglesey in Wales. In 1841 she published a memoir describing her eleven years' service with the Murat family.
After Napoleon was exiled for a second time in 1815, Joachim Murat was deposed and executed by his subjects. Young Achille and his siblings were taken by their mother into exile at the castle of Frohsdorf, near Vienna in Lower Austria. When Murat turned twenty-one, he obtained permission to emigrate to America.
In 1821 he embarked from a Spanish port bound for the United States. On arrival in New York, Murat immediately applied for naturalization. After a few months in that city he made an extensive tour through the United States, using an assumed name at first. He had a striking resemblance to his famous uncle in countenance and mannerisms. Although he had renounced all his European titles and citizenship, his wide social connections brought Murat to Washington, where he befriended Richard Keith Call, Florida's territorial delegate to the Congress.
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Wikipedia