1768: Napoleon’s Older Brother that Fled to the U.S. with Stolen Royal Jewels

Napoleon’s older brother Joseph Bonaparte was born on this day. He was a year and a half older than Napoleon and, as such, was also the oldest of all Napoleon’s siblings. As the first-born son in the family it is logical that he was assigned an important role. He became a lawyer, diplomat, and politician. In the time when Napoleon ascended to power, Joseph was already influential in the politics of revolutionary France and helped his brother.

For example, at a crucial moment when Napoleon decided to take the helm of government in France, Joseph was the chairman of the parliament. His influence on that position helped Napoleon to overthrow the Directory and establish a Consulate with him as a consul. Joseph and Napoleon even courted the two Clary sisters. Joseph married the older one, but Napoleon broke off his engagement with the younger because he met the famous Josephine.

When he became emperor, Napoleon awarded his brother Joseph with honours that he did not bestow upon any one else. Namely, he made him a king – first of Naples and then of Spain (whose colonies at that time included almost all of today’s Latin America).

After the fall of Napoleon, Joseph Bonaparte fled to the United States, where he first lived in New York and Philadelphia, and then bought a rich farm in New Jersey. On the farm he built a splendid house with a beautifully arranged garden (he was rich because he had brought with him the Spanish royal jewels that he stole while escaping Spain).