5 Incredible Facts About Napoleon

Napoleon Bonaparte (1769–1821) was a French military leader and emperor who rose to prominence during the French Revolution. Known for his strategic genius, he led France in numerous successful campaigns across Europe, eventually crowning himself Emperor in 1804. Napoleon implemented significant reforms in law, administration, and education, most notably through the Napoleonic Code, which influenced legal systems worldwide. Though he built a vast empire, he faced eventual defeat at Waterloo in 1815 and spent his final years in exile on the island of Saint Helena. Despite his fall, Napoleon remains one of history’s most iconic and controversial figures.

Here are five intriguing facts about Napoleon:

1. A General by Age 26

Born in Corsica in 1769, Napoleon graduated from the prestigious military academy in Paris when he was just 16 years old. After successfully quelling an uprising at the Tuileries Gardens in 1795, he was promoted to general in charge of Paris by the age of 26. Following victories in Italy, Egypt, and Syria, he seized control of the government in a military coup on November 9, 1799. Five years later, Napoleon crowned himself emperor in Notre-Dame Cathedral, staying in power until his first abdication in 1814.

2. He Took Back France Without a Fight

After being exiled to the island of Elba in 1814, Napoleon was stripped of power and replaced by King Louis XVIII of the Bourbon family. However, in February 1815, Napoleon made a bold return to France. In a remarkable twist, within less than three weeks, he reclaimed control of the country without firing a single shot. The troops sent to capture him instead chose to join his ranks. Though he retook the throne on March 20, 1815, his return was brief; following his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, he was exiled again, this time to Saint Helena, where he died in 1821.

3. A Brilliant Commander, Winning 80% of His Battles

Throughout his military career, Napoleon faced seven coalitions of European powers. Despite the constant challenges, he managed to win 44 of the 51 battles he fought, earning a reputation as one of history’s most skilled commanders. One of his most famous victories was at the Battle of Austerlitz in 1805, where he defeated both the Russian and Austrian emperors. However, his career ended in defeat at Waterloo in 1815, marking the end of his rule.

4. He Sold 20% of U.S. Territory for Just $380 Million

In 1803, Napoleon sold a vast territory of over 800,000 square miles to the United States for $15 million (around $381 million today). This deal, known as the Louisiana Purchase, included land stretching from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains. Initially, Napoleon had hoped to build a French empire in the Americas, but after the failure of the Haitian expedition and the need for money to continue his European campaigns, he decided to sell the land. Thomas Jefferson’s government, which had initially been interested in just New Orleans, was quick to accept the offer.

5. He Had a Distinct Corsican Accent

Napoleon’s appearance and habits have long been the subject of fascination, leading to many myths. While commonly thought of as short, Napoleon was actually about 5’5” (1.68 meters), which was average for the time. His famous gesture of tucking his hand into his jacket was simply a common practice of the period. Interestingly, one of the lesser-known facts about Napoleon was his accent. He spoke French with a strong Corsican accent, as French was not his first language. As a child, he was often ridiculed for this in school.