Lucien Bonaparte

French Politician
1775-1840

As a member of the Cinq-Cents, Lucien Bonaparte was one of the key people who ensured Napoleon's successful bid for power in the Brumaire coup.

He eloquently brought the politicians in behind his older brother at a crucial time, but was not interested in being rewarded for his support.

In fact, Lucien was not thrilled with the way France was heading under Napoleon and in 1804, spurning imperial honours, he went into self-imposed exile.

Initially living in Rome, he moved to America, before returning to Italy after Napoleon's fall.