(Napoleon Bonaparte; “the Little Corporal” ) 1769–1821, French general born in Corsica: emperor of France 1804–15. |
Na·po·le·on I  (nə-pō'lē-ən, -pōl'yən)  Emperor of the French (1804-1814). A brilliant military strategist, he deposed the French Directory (1799) and proclaimed himself first consul and, later, emperor (1804). His military and political might gripped Continental Europe but failed to encompass Great Britain. After a disastrous winter campaign in Russia (1812), he was forced to abdicate (1814). Having been exiled to the island of Elba, he escaped, briefly regained power, and was ultimately defeated at Waterloo (1815) and exiled for life to the island of St. Helena. His codification of laws, the Napoleonic Code, still forms the basis of French civil law. Na·po'le·on'ic (-ŏn'ĭk) adj. |