Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821), also known as Napoleon 1, was a French

military leader and emperor who conquered much of Europe in the early 19 th century. He
is famous because Napoleon rose through the ranks of the military during the French
Revolution (1789-1799). Napoleon successfully waged war against various coalitions of
European nations and expanded hisempire. In 1815, he briefly returned to power in his
Hundred Days campaign.

He won most of these wars and the vast majority of his battles, building a large
empire that ruled over much of continental Europe before its final collapse in 1815.
Napoleon was famous because he is considered one of the greatest commanders in
history, and his wars and campaigns are studied at military school worldwide. Napoleon’s
political and cultural legacy has endured as one of the most celebrated and controversial
leaders in human history.