Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military general and statesman who rose to prominence during the French Revolution, going on to alter the political landscape of Europe. Serving as 'First Consul', from 1799 to 1804 and later 'Napoleon I', as Emperor of the French until 1814, briefly again in 1815, being regarded as one of the greatest military commanders in human history.
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Key Facts
- Born Napoleone di Buonaparte on 15th August 1769 in Ajaccio, Corsica, a French island in the Mediterranean Sea.
- Coronated as 'Napoleon I', Emperor of the French, at Notre Dame Cathedral on 2nd December 1804.
- Passed away on 5th May 1821 at the age of 51 while living in exile on the remote island of St. Helena.
Early Life & Education
Born with the Italian name 'Napoleone di Buonaparte', on 15th August 1769 in Ajaccio, the current capital of Corsica, a French island in the Mediterranean Sea and was born shortly after the island was transferred from Genoa to France.
Death & Funeral
Napoleon Bonaparte died on 5th May 1821 at the age of 51, while living in exile on the remote island of St. Helena.
Suffering from severe abdominal pain, drastic weight loss, nausea and progressive weakness in his final few months, the official cause of death was stomach cancer.
Napoleon Bonaparte actually had two funerals. The first funeral was a modest and nameless burial which took place on St. Helena in 9th May 1821, with a second, large state funeral taking place for Napoleon Bonaparte, known as the 'Retour des Cendres', or 'Return of the Ashes', taking place in Paris on 15th December 1840, 19 years later.
