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Joachim Murat

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Military Personnel

The Resume

    (March 25, 1767-October 13, 1815)
    Born in La Bastide-Fortuniere, France
    Marshall of France
    Grand Duke of Berg (1806-08)
    King of Naples (1808-15)
    Descendants include King Albert I of Belgium and actor Rene Auberjonois

Why he might be annoying:

    His flamboyant dress earned him the nickname 'the Dandy King.'
    He received his titles partly because he was Napoleon's brother-in-law, having married the Emperor's younger sister Caroline.
    He lobbied for the vacant throne of Spain, but was passed over in favor of Napoleon's brother Joseph.
    During Napoleon's retreat from Russia, he abandoned the army to return to Naples and save his throne.
    During the last few years of the Napoleonic Wars, he flip-flopped between Napoleon and the Emperor's enemies in an attempt to retain his throne.
    After Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo, he turned down an offer of asylum from Austria.
    Instead, he made a last attempt to reconquer Naples, and was captured by the forces of King Ferdinand IV, convicted of treason, and sentenced to death.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He established a reputation as a gifted and daring cavalry leader.
    He was shot through the jaw during the Battle of Aboukir in Egypt (July 25, 1799).
    He encouraged Italian nationalism.
    At his execution by firing squad, he refused a blindfold, saying, 'I have braved death too often to fear it.'

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 67 Votes: 65.67% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 31 Votes: 48.39% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 18 Votes: 77.78% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 122 Votes: 53.28% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 342 Votes: 49.71% Annoying