Subject

Adventurer and king. Born Theodor Stephan Freiherr von Neuhoff in Cologne, Germany or Metz, France depending on source. He served in the French army and Swedish diplomatic service and became chargé d'affaires to Emperor Charles VI. In 1736 he led a Corsican uprising against the Genoese and, in return for these services, was elected king. He left after seven months to procure foreign aid, but his attempts to return were frustrated. Settled in London, where he was, in December 1749, imprisoned for debt. With the aid of Horace Walpole he was released in early December 1756 but died only a few days later.