Napoleon Bonaparte, born Napoleone Buonaparte on the Mediterranean island of Corsica in 1769, is one of history's most iconic military leaders and statesmen. Rising to prominence during the French Revolution, Napoleon's strategic brilliance and ambition led him to become the Emperor of the French from 1804 to 1814, and briefly in 1815. Standing at just 5 feet 6 inches, his lean frame and sharp mind made him a formidable force on the battlefield, where he led a series of military campaigns across Europe during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Beyond his military prowess, Napoleon's reign brought significant reforms to France and the lands he conquered, shaping European politics for generations. His personal life was as dynamic as his career, notably his marriage to Josephine de Beauharnais, which added a layer of intrigue to his storied legacy.