(Amadeo Ferdinando Maria), king of Spain, duke of Aosta, second son of King Victor Emanuel of Italy, born May 30, 1845. He early held the rank of lieutenant general in the Italian army and that of rear admiral in the navy, and showed much interest in naval affairs. He married, May 30, 1867, the wealthy Italian princess Maria del Pozzo della Cisterna, whose mother was a countess de Me-rode. His nomination as king of Spain, proposed by Gen. Prim, was sanctioned by Victor Emanuel, subject to the approval of the European powers, which was given in October, 1870, and to the ratification by a majority of the cortes, which took place on Nov. 16. He reached Madrid Jan. 2, 1871, Gen. Prim having been assassinated four days previously. He was himself beset by assassins (July, 1872), by Carlist risings, and by other dangers and administrative difficulties. Becoming discouraged, he abdicated the throne for himself and his heirs, Feb. 11,1873, and returned to Italy, the cortes immediately proclaiming and organizing a republic.