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.

Related Topics:
1721 - 1799 - 1806

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A brilliant and dashing cavalry leader, Murat played an important part in Napoleon Bonaparte's victories. During Napoleon's defence of the Tuileries Palace (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.

Related Topics:
Cavalry - Napoleon Bonaparte - Tuileries Palace - 1795 - French National Guard - Directory

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Joachim rose in the French army to the rank of a general. He married Caroline on January 20, 1800. Thus becoming son-in-law of Letizia Ramolino and brother-in-law to Joseph Bonaparte, Napoleon I of France, Lucien Bonaparte, Elisa Bonaparte, Louis Bonaparte, Pauline Bonaparte and Jérôme Bonaparte.

Related Topics:
General - Caroline - January 20 - 1800 - Letizia Ramolino - Joseph Bonaparte - Napoleon I of France - Lucien Bonaparte - Elisa Bonaparte - Louis Bonaparte - Pauline Bonaparte - Jérôme Bonaparte

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His brother-in-law Napoleon made him 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.

Related Topics:
Marshal of France - May 18 - 1804 - Europe - Berg - Cleves - March 15 - 1806 - August 1 - 1808 - Naples

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Murat was equally useful in Napoleon's invasion of Russia (1812), and in the Battle of Leipzig (1813). After Leipzig, however, he reached (1814) an agreement with the Austrian Empire in order to save his own throne. During the Hundred Days he deserted his new allies and re-joined Napoleon. He was defeated by the forces of Frederick Bianchi, a general of Francis I of Austria, at the Battle of Tolentino (May 2 - May 3, 1815).

Related Topics:
Napoleon's invasion of Russia - 1812 - Battle of Leipzig - 1813 - 1814 - Austrian Empire - Hundred Days - Frederick Bianchi - Francis I of Austria - Battle of Tolentino - May 2 - May 3 - 1815

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He fled to Corsica after Napoleon's fall. In an attempt to regain Naples he was arrested by the forces of his rival Ferdinand IV of Naples and executed.

Related Topics:
Corsica - Ferdinand IV of Naples

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:"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!""

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