Napoleon Bonaparte – Biography, Height, Death & Legacy

Napoleon Bonaparte, born in Corsica in 1769, rose from military obscurity to become Emperor of the French and one of the most consequential figures in European history. His campaigns reshaped the continent, his legal code influenced civil law worldwide, and even his height became the subject of a persistent myth. This article covers his life, achievements, family, exile, death, and enduring cultural legacy, drawing on authoritative sources.

When and where was Napoleon Bonaparte born?

Napoleon Bonaparte was born on 15 August 1769 in Ajaccio, Corsica, shortly after the island became a French possession. His original name was Napoleone Buonaparte. His father, Carlo Buonaparte, was a lawyer and diplomat, and his mother, Letizia Ramolino, came from a minor noble family. He was the second of eight children who survived infancy, according to the chronology maintained by the Fondation Napoléon.

At age nine, Napoleon left Corsica to attend military school in mainland France. He studied at Brienne-le-Château from 1779 and later at the École Militaire in Paris, graduating in 1785 as an artillery officer. Britannica notes that his education placed him in the French military system during a period of growing revolutionary tension (source).

Key insights about Napoleon’s early life and rise

• Napoleon’s actual height was average for his time; the “short” myth is due to metric confusion and English propaganda.
• His hat (bicorne) was worn sideways to ensure he was easily identifiable in battle.
• The Napoleonic Code influences modern civil law across Europe and beyond.
• Napoleon sold the Louisiana Territory to the US in 1803 to fund his European wars.
• His exile to Elba ended with a dramatic return to power for 100 days before Waterloo.
• Many of his most famous quotes were recorded posthumously by his companions.

Napoleon Bonaparte Snapshot Facts

How tall was Napoleon Bonaparte and why does it matter?

The persistent idea that Napoleon was unusually short is a myth. According to Britannica, at the time of his death Napoleon measured about 5 feet 7 inches (about 1.68 meters), which was actually above average for an adult French male of the early 19th century (source). Biography.com gives the same height (source).

The confusion arose because French inches of the period were slightly larger than English inches. When Napoleon’s height was recorded as “5 pieds 2 pouces” in French units, it translated to about 5 feet 6 inches in English measure. British propagandists then used the smaller number to mock him, giving rise to the “Napoleon complex” stereotype—a term that historians now consider inaccurate.

What is Napoleon Bonaparte famous for? Key achievements and failures

Military genius and the Napoleonic Wars

Napoleon is widely regarded as one of history’s greatest military commanders. His campaigns, known collectively as the Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815), expanded French dominance across Europe. He defeated coalitions at Austerlitz (1805) and Jena (1806) before the disastrous invasion of Russia in 1812 turned the tide. Britannica and Biography.com both note that his leadership made him one of history’s most famous commanders (source).

The Napoleonic Code

As First Consul and later Emperor, Napoleon centralized the French legal system. The Napoleonic Code, established in 1804, standardized laws across France and emphasized equality before the law, property rights, and secular authority. Biography.com states that it still underpins civil codes in many countries today (source).

Role in the French Revolution

Napoleon rose to prominence during the French Revolution. He recaptured Toulon from royalist forces in 1793, suppressed the 13 Vendémiaire uprising in 1795, and led the Italian campaign that brought him fame and political leverage. In 1799 he seized power in the Coup of 18 Brumaire, becoming First Consul, and was crowned Emperor in 1804 (source).

The Battle of Waterloo

Napoleon’s final military defeat came on 18 June 1815 near Brussels. The Anglo-Allied forces under the Duke of Wellington, supported by Prussian troops under Gebhard von Blücher, crushed the French army. The battle ended Napoleon’s rule and led to his second exile.

How did Napoleon Bonaparte die and where is he buried?

Napoleon died on 5 May 1821 on the remote island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic, where he had been exiled after his defeat at Waterloo. He was 51 years old. The cause of death is most commonly attributed to stomach cancer, though theories of arsenic poisoning have been proposed without widespread acceptance among historians. Multiple authoritative sources, including Britannica and Biography.com, agree on the date and location (source).

His remains were first buried on Saint Helena. In 1840, they were exhumed and returned to France, where they were interred in a grand sarcophagus at Les Invalides in Paris, where they remain today.

What are the best books and movies about Napoleon Bonaparte?

Authoritative biographies

Andrew Roberts’ Napoleon: A Life (2014) is widely regarded as a modern standard. Amazon describes it as presenting Napoleon as “protean,” decisive, and surprisingly forgiving toward his enemies and Josephine (source). Other respected works include The Campaigns of Napoleon by David Chandler and Napoleon: A Biography by Vincent Cronin.

Regarding the 2023 film

The 2023 film Napoleon, directed by Ridley Scott, is a dramatized account that takes creative liberties. Historians have noted inaccuracies in battle sequences and personal relationships. It is best understood as a cinematic spectacle rather than a documentary.

Who were Napoleon Bonaparte’s wife and family?

Napoleon married Joséphine de Beauharnais in 1796. She was a widow with two children. The marriage ended in divorce in 1809 because she did not produce an heir. In 1810 he married Archduchess Marie Louise of Austria, who gave birth to his only legitimate son, Napoleon II, in 1811 (source).

Napoleon also had several siblings, including Joseph, Louis, Lucien, Jérôme, Caroline, and Elisa, who were placed in royal positions across Europe. His nephew, Louis-Napoleon, later became Napoleon III, ruling France from 1852 to 1870. Britannica’s facts page lists his notable family members (source).

Timeline of Napoleon Bonaparte’s life

1. 1769 – Born in Ajaccio, Corsica.
2. 1784 – Attends military school in Brienne.
3. 1795 – Suppresses royalist revolt, becomes rising general.
4. 1796 – Marries Joséphine de Beauharnais; Italian campaign begins.
5. 1799 – Coup of 18 Brumaire; becomes First Consul.
6. 1804 – Crowned Emperor of the French.
7. 1805 – Battle of Austerlitz – peak of power.
8. 1812 – Invasion of Russia – disastrous retreat.
9. 1814 – First abdication, exiled to Elba.
10. 1815 – Return (Hundred Days), Battle of Waterloo, second exile to Saint Helena.
11. 1821 – Death on Saint Helena.
12. 1840 – Remains returned to France, interred at Les Invalides.

What is certain and what remains unclear about Napoleon?

Napoleon’s legacy: Analysis and context

Napoleon’s military tactics are still studied in war colleges worldwide. He revolutionized warfare with speed, artillery use, and the corps system. The Napoleonic Code established legal equality and property rights but also limited women’s rights. His empire spread nationalism across Europe, indirectly fueling later unification movements in Germany and Italy. At the same time, he restored slavery in French colonies and suppressed republican ideals while claiming to spread them. Modern culture remains fascinated by his image, from the bicorne hat to his complex personality.

Famous quotes and reliable sources

“Courage isn’t having the strength to go on – it is going on when you don’t have strength.”

Attributed, commonly cited in leadership literature.

“Impossible is a word to be found only in the dictionary of fools.”

Often attributed, but exact origin uncertain.

“A leader is a dealer in hope.”

From Napoleon’s own writings, widely accepted.

Key sources for further research include the Encyclopedia Britannica, the Fondation Napoléon, the Palace of Versailles, and the Napoleon Series academic community.

Summary: Why Napoleon Bonaparte still matters

Napoleon Bonaparte reshaped Europe through war, law, and administration. His rise from a Corsican officer to emperor, his military innovations, and his legal reforms left a lasting imprint on the modern world. The myths surrounding his height and his personal life continue to spark curiosity, while historians debate his complex legacy. For a deeper look at the wars that defined his career, see our Napoleonic Wars Overview and the French Revolution: Key Figures.

Frequently asked questions about Napoleon Bonaparte