Two famous Corsicans

The Mediterranean island of Corsica has two famous sons, one better known than the other. The lesser known is Pascal Paoli (pronounced "pow-lee"), the father of Corsican independence. Corsica was ruled throughout history by the French, the Genoese, and other Italians. In the second half of the 18th Century Paoli led the Corsican movement for independence from the Genoese. Paoli, from the town of Morasaglia, about 30 minutes by car from Lutina (site of my farm), was as much a political philosopher as a fighter. After obtaining independence from the Genoese, the Corsicans adopted Paoli's constitution, the most democratic constitution at that time. In fact, today Corsicans insist that Paoli wrote US Constitution. This is an overstatement, although America's founding fathers did look to the Corsican constitution for inspiration in drafting the US Constitution. Paoli's influence in the US is evident in towns named Paoli (pronounced "pay-oh-lee"), including the Paoli in suburban Philly near where I grew up and in Oklahoma not far from my grandmother's. Unfortunately, the Corsican Constitution did not last very long, as France took over Corsica ten years after it obtained independence from the Genoese. Genoa never acknowledged Corsica's independence, and in a political move transferred it to France. French troops moved in and Corsica has remained part of France for nearly 250 years.

The political moves that resulted in French rule in Corsica paved the way for Corsica's second and more famous favorite son. Napoleon was born in Corsica's largest town, Ajaccio. Throughout Corsica there are streets, plazas, and buildings named for both Napoleon and Paoli. For Corsicans, Paoli is the better regarded of the two. There are tourist sites devoted to Napoleon, but the island's relationship with the Emperor is conflicted. I was trying to figure out when Napoleon's birthday was and what festivals Ajaccio had for the anniversary and I was told that that day was a great day. I asked for whom that was a great day, and the Frenchman told me that it was a great day . . . for Napoleon.