After Napoleon took over the Maltese islands , he took an active part in the resistance of the Maltese against the French , and afterwards was the first to be appointed to the chair of philosophy at the University of Malta by the British provisional government of Malta .
After Napoleon took over the Maltese islands in 1798 , he took an active part in the resistance of the Maltese against the French around his home - town at Żejtun . 
 Afterwards , when the French Napoleonic forces had been oused , and the British set up a provisional government in Malta , he was the first to be appointed to the Chair of Philosophy at the University of Malta .