“Near this place is interred
Theodore King of Corsica
Who died in this Parish Dec 11 1756
immediately aftér leaving
the Kings Bench Prison
by the benefit of the act of insolvency
in consequence of which
registered his Kingdom of Corsica
for the use of his creditors
The grave great teacher. To a level brings
heroes and beggars. Galley-slaves and Kings.
But Theodore this moral learn’d ere dead:
Fate poured its lessons on his living head.
Bestow’d a Kingdom, And denied him bread.”
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The epitaph was written by his friend Horace Walpole.
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Words carved on a stone plaque set in the wall on the back right of St Anne's Church, observed from St Anne's Gardens, formerly the churchyard of St Anne’s Church, Soho, London, UK, photo taken 7/5/2022. (The church can be approached from the other side of the block on Dean Street).
Theodor King of Corsica, born Freiherr Theodor Stephan von Neuhof (25 August 1694 – 11 December 1756) was a German who has been described as an adventurer. Theodore I. reigned Corsica for a short period from March 1736 to November 1736. He died in Soho, London, England.
PS: Theodore is the subject of an opera by G. Paisiello, Il re Teodoro in Venezia (1784, Vienna), and one of the six kings in Venice in Voltaire's Candide. A number of books and writings have been published about King Theodore of Corsica.
Date: 07/05/2022
Location: Soho, London, UK
Photographer: Richard K Wolff
