born April 26, 1725, Stretta di Morosaglia, Corsica
died Feb. 5, 1807, London, Eng.
Corsican patriot.
Son of Giacinto Paoli, who led the Corsicans against Genoa in 1735, he lived with his father in exile in Naples (1739–55). On his return, he overcame the Genoese faction and was elected to rule Corsica. He suppressed the vendetta system, substituted order and justice, and instituted national schools. He continued the fight for independence, but after France invaded Corsica in 1769 he fled to England, where he lived until 1790. Recalled to Corsica as military commandant, he expelled the French with British naval support (1794) and offered the island's sovereignty to England. He retired to England in 1795.