There's not much information about the man (at least in english), however he was made a duke by the queen. How likely would she do that if the man was a progressive or moderate?
After being approached by the Mexican aristocracy and Napoleon III, Ferdinand Maximillian still steadfastly refuses the Imperial Crown of Mexico. He states his desire of becoming a full time botanist exploring the Amazon basin and becoming head of a state would impede his ambitions.
However...
Can't believe this one hasn't been done yet:
War and Peace (1869)
Written by the staunch bonapartist Leo Tolstoy, an epic historical account of the succesful invasion of Tsarist Russia by the French Empire with the help the legedenary Polish lancers and Russian revolutionaries (war), and the...
It was mainly a fishing town and a trading port at the time and it did become a significant one at the turn of the 20th century. You're right about the population not being big enough, but the port does hold a strategic location in trade as well as in oil resources.
How would it be possible for Dubai to become a non-UN international concession during the 19th century like Shanghai was and remain one as today? How could it occur in the future TL? Which countries would likely be the concession holders? What would be the advantages and disadvantages for...