Capece-latro, Giuseppe

Capece-Latro, Giuseppe, a Neapolitan arch-bishop and publicist, was born Sept. 23, 1744. He obtained when quite young the archbishopric of Taranto, which gives to the titulary the rank and privileges of a primnate of the kingdom. These distinctions did not prevent him, however, defending the principles of an enlightened philosophy, and fighting against the old .ideas, the superstition and hierarchical pretensions of the papal see, yet all this without neglecting his duties as .a Roman Catholic priest. During the reign of Joseph Bonaparte at Naples, in 1806, Capece-Latro was minister of the interior, and continued to direct this department under Joachim Murat in the most distinguished manner. After the fall of that king the prelate lost his archbishopric, retired altogether from public affairs, and made of his-house a place of reunion for all persons distinguished for their rank and knowledge. Capece died Nov. 2,1836. His last writing is remarkable for its style; it is the Elogio di Frederigo II, re .di Prussia (Berlin, 1832).- See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.