French general who seized power after the Revolution, crowned himself emperor and conquered much of Europe before defeat at Waterloo
Did you know?Although often described as short, he was actually slightly taller than the average Frenchman of his time.
Quick facts
Date of birth15 August 1769
Date of death5 May 1821
Age at death51
Cause of deathStomach cancer
NationalityFrench
BirthplaceAjaccio, France
Occupationpolitician, art collector, emperor
Editor's Take:
Napoleon Bonaparte rose from a minor Corsican family to emperor of the French in barely a decade, one of the most dramatic ascents in history. A brilliant military commander, he redrew the map of Europe through a string of victories that are still studied at military academies. Yet his most lasting legacy may be civilian: the Napoleonic Code, a clear and modern system of law that still underpins legal systems in dozens of countries. His ambition was also his undoing, from the disastrous invasion of Russia in 1812 to final defeat at Waterloo in 1815. He died in exile on the remote island of Saint Helena, a man who had once ruled much of a continent.
Key Milestones
1796: Leads the French army to victory in Italy
1799: Seizes power in a coup
1804: Crowns himself Emperor
1805: Wins the Battle of Austerlitz
1812: Invades Russia and retreats in disaster
1815: Defeated at Waterloo and exiled to St Helena
Napoleon Bonaparte (born Napoleone di Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was Emperor of the French from 18 May 1804 until his first abdication in 1814, with a brief restoration during the Hundred Days in 1815.
