Camillo Borghese, 6th Prince of Sulmona
Don Camillo Filippo Ludovico Borghese, Prince of Sulmona and of Rossano, Duke and Prince of Guastalla (19 July 1775 – 9 May 1832) was a member of the Borghese family, best known for being a brother-in-law of Napoleon.
| Camillo Borghese | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prince of Sulmona Prince of the French Empire Duke of Guastalla | |||||
 Portrait by François Gérard | |||||
| Prince of Sulmona | |||||
| Reign | 1800–1832 | ||||
| Predecessor | Marcantonio Borghese | ||||
| Successor | Francesco Borghese | ||||
| Duke of Guastalla | |||||
| Reign | March–May 1806 | ||||
| Predecessor | Ferdinand, Duke of Parma | ||||
| Successor | Territory annexed by Duchy of Parma | ||||
| Governor of French Piémont | |||||
| Reign | 1800–1814 | ||||
| Predecessor | office established | ||||
| Successor | office dissolved | ||||
| Personal Details | |||||
| Born | 19 July 1775 Rome, Papal States | ||||
| Died | 9 May 1832 Florence, Grand Duchy of Tuscany | ||||
| Spouse | Pauline Bonaparte | ||||
| |||||
| House | House of Borghese | ||||
| Military career | |||||
| Allegiance |  French Empire | ||||
| Service/ | French Imperial Army | ||||
| Years of service | 1803–1814 | ||||
| Rank | Divisional General | ||||
| Commands held | Tirailleurs du Po | ||||
| Awards | Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece Grand Cross Member of the Legion of Honour | ||||
Borghese married Napoleon's younger sister, Pauline Bonaparte in 1803, which led to Napoleon gifting him multiple titles. After Napoleon's defeat, Borghese fled France and left his wife behind. Consequently, he was stripped of the titles granted to him by Napoleon, though he retained his family's ancestral titles. While in Florence he died at the age of 56, the cause of death is unknown.
Biography
Camillo Borghese was born in Rome, the son of the pro-Napoleon Marcantonio Borghese, 5th Prince of Sulmona, and brother of Francesco (1776–1839), Prince Aldobrandini. He entered France's service in 1796. He became the second husband of Napoleon's sister Pauline Bonaparte in 1803 (after the death of her first husband, Charles Leclerc).[1][2]
Following his marriage, Camillo was made regimental chef of the Tirailleurs du Po which was recruited in the region which he governed. He remained in this position until 24 January 1804 when he retired from military life. Shortly after he was made a Prince of the French Empire and subsequently promoted to squadron chef in the Imperial Guard in 1805 (as an honorary rank).[3][4] On 10 February 1805 he was anointed with the Grand Eagle of the Legion of Honour.[5] On 27 December 1805 he was promoted to Colonel.[5] He became the Duke of Guastalla in 1806, but this area was annexed by the Duchy of Parma shortly thereafter.[2][5]
In 1807, the prince was forced to sell his art collection for around 3 million francs, which was held in the Abbey of Lucedio near Turin, which itself had an estimated worth of around 4 million francs. His collection is now held at the Louvre in Paris.[2]
On 14 May 1807 he was promoted to Brigade General, and on 23 January 1808 Divisional General.[5] In 1808 he was made overall military commander in Piedmont, and in 1809 this command was split into the 27th and 28th Military Divisions (Districts), now integrated into the French Imperial Army.[3] These divisions encompassed the regions of Piémont previously part of the Austrian Italian provinces. Subsequently, he was made grand dignitary and governor general of Piedmont, overseeing the regions of Piedmont, Genoa, and Parma.[1][2][6]
After 10 years there with a long-term mistress, he was reluctantly convinced by the pope into receiving Pauline back, only 3 months before she died of cancer. He then continued in secret and futile Bonapartist plots until his own death, which occurred at Florence 10 April 1832.[5]
During his time as Prince of Sulmona and Rossana, Camillo was considered the richest Roman prince of his time. His family was also heavily involved in the murder of General Duphot in 1798.[2]
Footnotes
- "Collections Online | British Museum". www.britishmuseum.org. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
- Larousse, p. 1004
- "Camillo Borghese, 6th Prince of Sulmona". memim.com. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
- Dempsey, p. 670
- "French Carabiniers". www.napoleon-series.org. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
- "1789-1815 Divisions militaires". www.1789-1815.com. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
References
- Majanlahti, Anthony (2005). The Families Who Made Rome. London: Chatto & Windus. pp. 205 and 180–181. ISBN 0-7011-7687-3.
- Dempsey, Guy C. (2002). Napoleon's Mercenaries: Foreign Units in the French Army Under the Consulate and Empire, 1799 to 1814. Bodmin, Cornwall, United Kingdom: Greenhill Books. ISBN 978-1853674884. OCLC 474117429.
- Larousse, Pierre (1867). Grand Dictionnaire Universel du XIXe Siècle (in French). Paris, France: Éditions Larousse.