Napoleon I of France

Napoleon Bonaparte (15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821) was a general of the French Revolution, and the ruler of France as First Consul (Premier Consul) of the French Republic from 11 November 1799 to 18 May 1804, then as Emperor of the French (Empereur des Français) and King of Italy under the name Napoleon I from 18 May 1804 to 6 April 1814, and again briefly from 20 March to 22 June 1815.

Related Topics:
15 August - 1769 - 5 May - 1821 - French Revolution - First Consul - French Republic - 11 November - 1799 - 18 May - 1804 - 6 April - 1814 - 20 March - 22 June - 1815

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Napoleon is considered to have been a military genius, and is known for commanding many successful campaigns, together with some spectacular failures.

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Over the course of little more than a decade, he acquired control of most of the western and central mainland of Europe by conquest or alliance until his defeat at the Battle of the Nations near Leipzig in October 1813, which led to his abdication several months later. He staged a comeback known as the Hundred Days (les Cent Jours), but was defeated decisively at the Battle of Waterloo in Belgium on June 18 1815, followed shortly afterwards by his surrender to the British and his exile to the island of Saint Helena, where he died.

Related Topics:
Europe - Battle of the Nations - Leipzig - 1813 - Abdication - Hundred Days - Battle of Waterloo - Belgium - June 18 - 1815 - British - Saint Helena

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Aside from his military achievements, Napoleon is also remembered for the establishment of the Napoleonic Code, and is considered by some to have been one of the "enlightened monarchs". Others consider him a tyrannical dictator whose wars and rule led to the death of millions. Napoleon appointed several members of the Bonaparte family as monarchs. Although their reigns did not survive his downfall, a nephew, Napoleon III, ruled France later in the nineteenth century.

Related Topics:
Napoleonic Code - Enlightened monarchs - Bonaparte - Napoleon III

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