Napoleon Bonaparte (birth name Napoleone di Buonaparte) was born on August 15, 1769 in the town of Ajaccio on Corsica, France. He was a general during the French Revolution, First Consul of the French Republic and Emperor of the French.
Biography and Career :
In February 1800, Napoleon became Prime-Consul of France. He reorganized the army and defeated Austria saving his country from an imminent collapse. In 1802 he proclaimed the Napoleonian Code, a new systematization of the France law.
On May 18, 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte was crowned as Emperor of France at the Notre-Dame Cathedral. During his reign, France became a real empire. Napoleon Bonaparte was a great fighter and commander at the same time. But, in 1812, he suffered the first defeat of his military career. He wa
s exiled on Elba.
At the beginning of 1825, he returned to France trying to reorganize the army in order to defeat his enemies. He won the battle on June 16, 1815 and managed to suppress the attack of the Prussians and their allies on June18, the same year.
In the battle at Waterloo, the French army was defeated and Napoleon retreated his army from the field of battle. He left France, being protected by Great Britain in Rochefort. Then, he was sent on the St. Helen Island, where he stayed for six years.
In May 1821, Napoleon Bonaparte died of stomach cancer, at the age of 51. He is remembered in history as the Emperor that made France an Empire covering a great part of Europe of that time. He died as a British prisoner on the St. Helen Island.
Trivia :
- Contrary to popular belief, he was not short as often depicted in popular culture.
- He was married twice: on March 9, 1796 to Josephine de Beauharnais and on March 11, 1810 by proxy to Marie Louise.
- The cause of his death has been disputed on a number of occasions.
- There was an assassination plot against him, sponsored by the Bourbons.
- He instituted several lasting reforms, including centralized administration of the departements, higher education, a tax system, a central bank, law codes, road and sewer systems.
Quotes :
- "A Constitution should be short and obscure."
- "A man will fight harder for his interests than for his rights."
- "A revolution is an idea which has found its bayonets."
- "Courage is like love; it must have hope to nourish it."
Napoleon Bonaparte Image : economist.com
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