Theodore von Neuhoff

Theodore von Neuhoff was a Westphalian adventurer who was crowned king of Corsica in April 1736 by islanders in revolt against Genoa. He landed with arms and money obtained abroad, set up a court, created knighthoods and minted coins, but left the island within eight months to seek help and never re-established his rule. He later spent years in a debtors' prison in London and died there in poverty.