Education
His undergraduate studies were pursued in France at the college at Autun, and he studied law at Pisa.
His undergraduate studies were pursued in France at the college at Autun, and he studied law at Pisa.
Until his appointment as king of Naples in March 1806, he assisted Napoleon's career in minor capacities. In Naples he brought about some changes which included abolition of feudalism, reformation of the monastic orders, the construction of roads, and the codification of laws. In May 1808 he became king of Spain, where Spanish resentment of French occupation made his position uncertain. British victories in Spain under the Duke of Wellington forced Joseph to flee his kingdom in 1813.