Napoleon Bonaparte, born Napoleone di Buonaparte on 15 August 1769, was a French general and statesman who gained prominence during the French Revolution. He led military campaigns across Europe from 1796 to 1815, serving as First Consul from 1799 to 1804 and as Emperor of the French from 1804 to 1814, with a brief return in 1815. He was also King of Italy from 1805 to 1814 and Protector of the Confederation of the Rhine from 1806 to 1813.Born in Corsica to an Italian family, Napoleon moved to mainland France in 1779 and became an officer in the French Royal Army in 1785. He supported the French Revolution and quickly rose through the military ranks, notably winning the siege of Toulon in 1793 and defeating royalist insurgents in Paris in 1795. In 1796, he commanded a successful campaign against Austria and its Italian allies, becoming a national hero. His 1798 invasion of Egypt aimed to undermine British trade routes but ultimately led to political power back in France.In November 1799, Napoleon orchestrated the Coup of 18 Brumaire, establishing himself as First Consul. He secured victory at the Battle of Marengo in 1800, leading to France's dominance in the War of the Second Coalition. In 1803, he sold the Louisiana territory to the United States. He crowned himself Emperor in December 1804, expanding his influence across Europe.The breakdown of the Treaty of Amiens in 1805 led to the War of the Third Coalition, where Napoleon achieved a decisive victory at the Battle of Austerlitz, resulting in the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire. He continued his military successes against Prussia and Russia in subsequent coalitions, establishing control over much of Europe. His invasion of the Iberian Peninsula in 1808 sparked the Peninsular War, which drained French resources and morale.In 1812, Napoleon launched a disastrous invasion of Russia, leading to significant losses during a harsh winter retreat. The subsequent War of the Sixth Coalition saw his defeat at the Battle of Leipzig in 1813, leading to his abdication in April 1814. He was exiled to Elba but escaped in 1815, returning to power for a brief period known as the Hundred Days. His final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in June 1815 led to his exile on the island of Saint Helena, where he died on 5 May 1821.Napoleon's military strategies and reforms, including the Napoleonic Code, had a lasting impact on France and Europe. He centralized state power, established public education, and promoted legal equality, but his rule was also marked by authoritarianism, censorship, and the reintroduction of slavery in French colonies. His legacy remains complex, influencing modern legal and administrative systems while also being associated with the devastation of the Napoleonic Wars.