Introduction
Napoléon Bonaparte was and still is one of France's most revered heroes. Though born a Corsican in 1769, Napoléon journeyed to France for schooling at the age of nine. He remained fiercely patriotic towards his homeland throughout his life, though he visited Corsica infrequently after leaving. He often tried to help the island, but was persecuted for his efforts. Napoléon never returned to Corsica willingly, though once he was forced to land on the island in a gale. After an interesting and quiet childhood Napoléon joined the French artillery at the age of sixteen.
Through hard work, bravery, political connections, and being born in a turbulent age, Napoléon rose to the rank of general. In 1799 Bonaparte was elected First Consul of France and Her Dependencies for Life and began his astonishing political career. Later he proclaimed himself France's emperor.Napoléon reformed much of European law and spread the idea of republicanism throughout much of Europe. His ideas continue to be incorporated into Switzerland's law. Napoléon also reformed schools and strengthened Paris' reputation as one of the cultural capitals of the world. Napoléon's life was not without setbacks.
Forced into exile
In 1814, the Allied armies of Britain, Spain, Portugal, Russia, Prussia, and Austria captured many French possessions and some of France herself. Napoléon was forced into exile on the island of Elba and Louis XVIII was restored to power.Napoléon returned the following year to a beach near Marseilles. From this small area he advanced towards Paris, throngs of his soldiers following behind. King Louis XVIII fled France and Napoleon resumed his post as Emperor. Over the next one hundred-thirty-six days Napoléon advanced into Belgium with more than one hundred thousand troops.
There the combined armies of Prussia, Britain, and Belgium won a narrow victory at Waterloo, Wavre, Ligny, and Quatre Bras. These battles caused the demise of Napoléon's military and political careers, as well as his second exile to St. Helena. Napoleon lived in confinement at Longwood on the island of St. Helena surrounded by British guards. He lived with two trusted generals, far from his wife Marie Louise. He died on May 5, 1821 thinking of his former wife Josephine de Beauharnais.
Birth
Napoléone di Buonaparte was born to Carlo Maria and Letizia Maria Ramolino di Buonaparte on August 15, 1769. The Buonapartes were prominent noblemen in Corsican society. They lived in Corsica for about two hundred years and had born a line of successful lawyers. The family originated in Florence, Italy in 1122. Ugo Buonaparte was one of the Duke of Swabia's most fearless knights, and consequently, became a noble. The family was forced to move to Tuscany several centuries later. During the sixteenth century Franceso Buonaparte sailed to Corsica, establishing the family on the island. The Ramolinos, on the other hand, were a line of noble soldiers. Letizia's father had commanded the garrison of Ajaccio, Corsica. Later he became the Inspector General of Roads and Bridges in Corsica. The family had two hundred fifty year old roots in Corsica and were widely respected.
An Interesting Youth
If Napoleon Bonaparte had only been a great general he would quickly have been forgotten and not held in the high esteem, which even today, he merits both in France and the World. A man of tireless energy, until disease began to weaken his resolve; he turned his attention to a whole range of political, administative and technical problems. He reorganised France's administration and judiciary, created the Bank of France, decimalised currency, improved secondary education and established universities. He promoted freedom of worship and in 1804 created the 'Code Napoleon' which is still followed in many countries.
Napoléone had a very exciting life from the day he was conceived. His father, Carlo, was active in the Corsican independence movement against the Genoese, and consequently, was often riding through the hills with Genoese firing at him. Letizia carried Giuseppe, Napoléone's older brother (his French name was Joseph), and Napoléone in her womb throughout these adventures with Pasquale Paoli's forces. Paoli had made Carlo a lieutenant, and was greatly involved in the movement. Napoléone was born during the Feast of the Assumption on a couch in the living room of his parent's lavish house (by Corsican standards). He was the second of eight living children. Letizia was able to attend Mass very often and named Napoléone after an Egyptian religious figure.
Napoleon Bonaparte
14" H White Bonded Marble on Marble Base
Rabulione
Napoléone's parents were very considerate towards their children. As a young child Napoléone and Giuseppe were given an undecorated room in their house in which they could play. They could wrestle, draw on the walls, and play games to their hearts' desire. Napoléone also received a nickname as a child, Rabulione, which means "he who meddles in everything." Napoléone was a very small, fiery, hot tempered youth. Though small, he often beat his brother when fighting, even though Giuseppe was more than a year older than he. He retained this fiery temper throughout his life.
He also retained his small size, both weight and height, until marrying Marie-Louise of Austria in 1810. Before marrying her he had eaten very simple foods, although he controlled much of Europe. After marrying her he began to eat much more elegant and rich foods causing an increase in weight. He also may have had hypogonadism, causing bloating.Napoléone's mother, Letizia, was an extremely religious woman. An impeccably pious Catholic, she attended mass every day she was in a town. She enforced her religious beliefs on Napoléone throughout his childhood. She made him attend High Mass every Sunday by slapping his face should he not attend.
Throughout the rest of his life Napoléone gradually became less and less pious. One of the causes for this change may have been the compulsory religious education (which caused him to think often about religion) in school at Brienne, France. Napoléone was had a very large superego and was very conscientious. As a child his mother often had him follow his father when he went to the local tavern. He did this because his father had a great love of gambling and unfortunately was not especially lucky. He would then report to his mother the happenings of the evening. Napoléone hated this job because of its dishonesty. He also would tell his mother any bad things he ever did.
Napoléone formed many habits and routines as a child that he continued throughout his life. Firstly, he bathed daily. As Emperor he bathed for an hour each morning before dressing. Secondly, he was very generous. As a child he shared his toys with other playmates and continued to exhibit this characteristic by bestowing awards and honors (titles and ranks) to many as Emperor and First Consul of France.