crowned himself Emperor of the French and created an empire that covered most of western and central Europe. One of the greatest military geniuses of his time, Napoleon's armies crushed one foe after another until he seemed invincible. His soldiers adored him. He personally directed complicated military maneuvers and at the same time controlled France's press, its police system, its foreign policy, and its home government. A talented administrator, he supervised the work of preparing the system of laws called the Code of Napoleon. He also founded the Bank of France, reorganized the French educational system, and established a strong centralized government.

Unimpressive in appearance, Napoleon nevertheless carried himself well. He stood slightly below average height. His courage and short stature led to his early nickname of le Petit Corporal, or "the little corporal."

Chronology of Napoleon's Life and Career
August 15, 1769		Born at Ajaccio, Corsica.
January 1786		Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Artillery.
1789-1794		Fought on the side of the revolutionaries during the French Revolution.
October 5, 1795		Appointed by Vicomte de Barras as his second in command in the Army of the Interior.
March 9, 1796		Married Josephine de Beauharnais.
March 11, 1796		Named to command the French Army of Italy.
1797		Made peace with Austria in the Treaty of Campo Formio.
July 1798		Defeated the Mamelukes of Egypt.
November 9, 1799		Seized power in France.
December 2, 1804		Crowned himself Emperor of the French.
December 2, 1805		Crushed the allied armies at Austerlitz.
July 12, 1806		Set up the Confederation of the Rhine.
October 14, 1806		Defeated the Prussians at Jena and Austerstädt.
June 14, 1807		Overwhelmed the Russians at Friedland.
April 2, 1810		Married Marie Louise of Austria.
September 14, 1812		Occupied Moscow.
April 11, 1814		Abdicated his throne.
May 4, 1814		Exiled and arrived on Elba.
March 20, 1815		Returned to power in France.
June 18, 1815		Defeated in the Battle of Waterloo.
October 16, 1815		Exiled to Saint Helena.
May 5, 1821		Died at Longwood in Saint Helena.

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Josephine de Beauharnais Bonaparte

This page was last updated on 08/14/2010.