Napoleon Bonaparte

 Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon, otherwise known as his official military name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader who rose in rank during the French Revolution and led successful movements during the Revolutionary Wars. Napoleon was born on August 15th, 1769, and died on May 5th, 1821. He was the in-practice leader of the French Republic as First Consul (similar to a diplomat) from 1799 to 1804, then Emperor of France from 1804 until 1814 and again in 1815.

Napoleon was born on an island that was previously annexed by France, which was called Corsica. He was born to a native family, and had minor Italian royalty in his blood. He supported the French Revolution in 1789 while serving in the French army, and tried to convince his home island that it was good.  His rank rose rapidly in the Army after he saved the governing French Directory by defending them against attacking royalist insurgents.  In 1796, he led a military campaign against the Austrians and their Italian allies, and won important victories and became a national hero. Two years later, he led a military expedition to Egypt that served as a catapult to political power. In November 1799, he made a coup, which succeeded and led him to becoming the First Consul of the Republic of France.

France had growing tensions with the UK, which caused the War of the Third Coalition in 1805.  Napoleon shattered this coalition with victories in the Ulm campaign, and at the Battle of Austerlitz, which led to the fall of the Holy Roman Empire. In 1806, the  Fourth Coalition took place.  Napoleon defeated Prussia at the battles of Jena and Auerstedt, marched the Grande Armée into Eastern Europe, and defeated the Russians in June 1807 at Friedland, forcing the defeated nations of the Fourth Coalition to accept the Treaties of Tilsit. Two years later, the Austrians challenged the French again during the War of the Fifth Coalition, but Napoleon solidified his grip over Europe after triumphing at the Battle of Wagram.

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Facts:

During his reign, Napoleon won more battles than Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar.

 He wrote sentimental love letters and a romantic novella too.

The Emperor was such a bad singer that those close to him considered him a nuisance, although they could not say it out loud.

Napoleon had wished to be buried on the banks of river Seine, but he was laid to rest next to other French military leaders in Les Invalides in Paris.

At the height of his powers Napoleon developed the habit of dressing up as a lower-class bourgeoisie and wandering the streets of Paris. Seemingly, his aim was to find out what the man on the street really thought of him and he reportedly quizzed random passers-by about their Emperor’s merits. 

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 During the last few years of his life, Napoleon confined himself for months on end in his damp, mold-infested and wretched habitation of Longwood. Years of isolation and loneliness took its toll on Napoleon's mental health. In February 1821, Napoleon's health began to deteriorate rapidly, and he reconciled with the Catholic Church. By March, he had become confined to bed. Napoleon died on 5 May 1821 at Longwood House at age 51, after making his last confession.  His last words were, France, l'armée, tête d'armée, Joséphine ("France, the army, head of the army, Joséphine").

Napoleon's political and cultural legacy remains to this day, as a highly celebrated but also disputed leader. He initiated many liberal improvements that have persisted in society, and is considered one of the greatest military commanders in history. His wars and campaigns are studied by militaries all over the world. Between three and six million civilians and soldiers died in what became known as the Napoleonic Wars.