Military and political history · France · 1769–1821
Napoleon Bonaparte Life & Career Timeline
Revolutionary general, emperor, lawgiver and architect of continental war.
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17691777178517931801180918171821
NBNapoleon BonaparteMilitary and political history · France
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About Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon rose through revolutionary warfare, remade French institutions and dominated Europe before defeat and exile.
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Napoleon Bonaparte biography
Napoleon Bonaparte timeline: key events
Explore 18 documented Moments in chronological order. Read the dates, locations and source references below. Where available, additional context explains why a milestone matters.
Born in Ajaccio
Napoleon Bonaparte was born shortly after Corsica became French.
Source: www.napoleon.orgEnters military school
A royal scholarship enabled his education as an artillery officer.
Source: www.napoleon.orgCommissioned in the artillery
He became a second lieutenant at sixteen.
Source: www.napoleon.orgVictory at Toulon
His artillery plan helped republican forces retake the port and brought promotion.
Source: www.napoleon.orgSuppresses royalist rising
Napoleon defended the Convention during the uprising of 13 Vendémiaire.
Source: www.napoleon.orgMarries Joséphine
He married Joséphine de Beauharnais days before taking command in Italy.
Source: www.napoleon.orgItalian campaign
Rapid victories forced Austria to negotiate and established Napoleon’s reputation.
Source: www.napoleon.orgInvades Egypt
The expedition combined strategic ambition, conquest and scientific study.
Source: www.napoleon.orgCoup of 18 Brumaire
The coup replaced the Directory with the Consulate and made Napoleon First Consul.
Source: www.napoleon.orgConcordat with the papacy
The agreement restored public Catholic worship while preserving revolutionary property changes.
Source: www.napoleon.orgCivil Code enacted
The Napoleonic Code standardised civil law while reinforcing patriarchal authority.
Source: www.napoleon.orgCrowned emperor
Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of the French at Notre-Dame.
Source: www.napoleon.orgVictory at Austerlitz
French forces defeated the Austrian and Russian armies in Napoleon’s signature victory.
Source: www.napoleon.orgPeninsular War begins
French intervention provoked sustained resistance and a costly multinational war.
Source: www.napoleon.orgRussian campaign collapses
The Grande Armée retreated with catastrophic losses from battle, hunger, disease and cold.
Source: www.napoleon.orgAbdicates and goes to Elba
Allied armies entered Paris and Napoleon accepted exile as sovereign of Elba.
Source: www.napoleon.orgDefeated at Waterloo
The allied victory ended the Hundred Days and Napoleon’s return to power.
Source: www.napoleon.orgDies on Saint Helena
Napoleon died in British custody after nearly six years of exile.
Source: www.napoleon.orgThis educational timeline is not endorsed by or affiliated with Napoleon Bonaparte or their representatives. Event text is original editorial copy based on the linked sources.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor · Licence shown on source file
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About the Napoleon Bonaparte timeline
Who is Napoleon Bonaparte?
Napoleon rose through revolutionary warfare, remade French institutions and dominated Europe before defeat and exile.
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This public timeline currently contains 18 sourced moments spanning 1769–1821.
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