Francesco, Generalissimo and Doge of Venice, was born in that city, of an illustrious family, in 1618. At the age of twenty he signalized himself in an attack upon the pirates that infested the Archipelago. Then began his series of services against the Turkish fleets which raised him gradually and steadily to the highest offices. He was appointed commander of the naval force in 1651, and generalissimo not long afterwards. In this latter capacity he was sent in 1667 to defend the island of Candia against the Grand Vizier Coproglu. For twenty-eight months his skill, prudence, and valour repulsed the overwhelming hordes of the Turks, and rendered the siege renowned throughout Europe. At length, when his force had been wasted and weakened by pestilence and the repeated onslaughts of the enemy, he accepted honourable terms of capitulation. This treaty, concluded without the authority of the senate, was the cause of his arraignment on his return to Venice in 1669. His honour, however, was triumphantly vindicated; and on the renewal of the Turkish war in 1684 he was appointed generalissimo for the third time. He captured the island of Santa Maura at the end of sixteen days, and subdued the Peloponnesus after two campaigns. Landing at Piraeus, he took Athens, but not until the Parthenon had been partially destroyed by the explosion of a powder-magazine. Such signal success raised him to the highest honours in his native republic. The title of Peloponnesiacus was added to his name; his statue was erected in the hall of the Council of Ten; he was elected Doge in 1688; and he was welcomed to Venice in 1689 by the acclamations of the assembled populace. A decree of the Senate created him generalissimo for the fourth time. In 1693 he once more led the fleet of the republic against the Turks. The enemy retired before him; and ere he had an opportunity of winning fresh laurels, he died at Nauplia in January 1694. His remains were interred at Venice, in the church of San Stefano. The Life of Francesco Morosini was written by Graziani, in 4to, Padua, 1699; and by Arrighi, in 4to, Padua, 1749.