The Resume

(January 7, 1768-July 28, 1844)
Born in Corte, Corsica, France
Older brother of Napoleon Bonaparte
King of Naples (1806-08) and Spain (1808-13)
Went into exile in the US (1816-32) and Italy (1832-44)

Why he might be annoying:

He was instantly unpopular with the Spanish, prompting an armed revolt when he took the throne.
His presence on the throne also inspired Spain’s Latin American colonies to declare their independence.
Although nominally in charge of French forces in Spain, the French military commanders would check with Napoleon before carrying out Joseph’s orders.
When he abdicated the Spanish throne, he took the Spanish crown jewels with him.
He fathered two children out of wedlock with his Italian mistress, the Countess of Atri, and another two with his American mistress, Annette Savage.

Why he might not be annoying:

He had been genuinely popular in Naples, but Napoleon ordered him to take the Spanish throne so the position of King of Naples would be open for Joachim Murat, one of Napoleon’s Marshalls (and his brother-in-law, having married Caroline Bonaparte).
During his reign, he ordered an end to the Spanish Inquisition.
Point Breeze, his mansion at Bordentown, New Jersey, had the largest library in the United States, containing 8,000 volumes (compared to the 6,500 volumes then held by the Library of Congress).
After Point Breeze burned down, he expressed his gratitude that his neighbors, who could have looted the place, instead saved his art collection and most of silver.
He wrote, ‘Americans are, without contradiction, the most happy people I have known; still more happy if they understand well their own happiness.’

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 61]
• DeCrowned
• Exiles
• Freemasons
• French Royalty
• House of Bonaparte
• I am a Citizen of France
• I Fathered Children Out of Wedlock
• I Fathered Children With At Least Three Women
• I Live in My Sibling's Shadow
• I Outlived My Child
• Italian Royalty
• Look at Me, My Picture Is Art
• Monarchs, Royalty and Nobles
• My House Burned Down
• Profiles 37751-38000 (Ranked: 37791)
• Served in the Napoleonic Wars
• Sixty-Nine
• Spanish Royalty

Year In Review:

For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 70 Votes: 65.71% Annoying
In 2023, Out of 95 Votes: 52.63% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 27 Votes: 85.19% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 135 Votes: 53.33% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 120 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 55 Votes: 50.91% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 63 Votes: 53.97% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 60 Votes: 58.33% Annoying