Here are 34 interesting Napoleon Bonaparte facts.
1-5 Napoleon Bonaparte Facts
1. Napoleon Bonaparte was actually 5’7″, an average male height at the time and his “shortness” was propaganda used by the British that is still believed today. – Source
2. Napoleon Bonaparte was once moved to tears by the grief of a dog who he found sitting with its owner’s body. – Source
3. Mandatory right-hand traffic was introduced in Europe by Napoleon with the aim of deterring sword fighting on horseback, and because the traditional left-hand traffic was seen as aristocratic. Since he never conquered Britain, left-hand driving would remain there. – Source
4. To help win Egypt, Napoleon considered converting himself and his army to Islam, but decided against it because the French troops wouldn’t stand for abstinence from alcohol. – Source
5. When George Washington died in 1799, Napoleon ordered 10 days of nationwide mourning in France. – Source
6-10 Napoleon Bonaparte Facts
6. Napoleon demanded a method of communication that would not require light or sound. ‘Night Writing’ was developed as a tactile military code but proved too difficult for Napoleon’s troops to learn and was rejected. Night writing became the basis for braille. – Source
7. When the Duke of Wellington attended a party in Vienna, some French officers turned away from the conqueror of Napoleon. When a woman apologized for their rudeness, Wellington replied: “I have seen their backs before, madam.” – Source
8. Despite Napoleon divorcing her so he could have an heir, his first wife Josephine is the ancestor of 5 of the current royal houses of Europe. Napoleon is the ancestor of none. – Source
9. Napoleon’s brother, Joseph Bonaparte lived in New Jersey after having been King of Spain, Sicily, and Naples. He lived off selling his jewelry and eventually moved back to Europe where he died and was buried near his brother. – Source
10. Rothschilds had such an efficient system of couriers that they knew Napoleon had lost at Waterloo a day before the government did. Nathan Rothschild immediately reported it to the government and after the news was made public, he bought up the government bond market and then sold the bonds for an enormous 40% profit two years later. – Source
11-15 Napoleon-Bonaparte Facts
11. Napoleon Bonaparte thought torture should be abolished because the information obtained from it is worthless. – Source
12. Napoleon’s penis is currently located in New Jersey. It was removed from his body by the doctor performing his autopsy and was smuggled by a priest. – Source
13. When Napoleon emancipated the Jews he stated that “I will never accept any proposals that will obligate the Jewish people to leave France, because to me the Jews are the same as any other citizen in our country”. – Source
14. Louisiana is the only US state to base its legal system on French law crafted by Napoleon. Louisiana Law students may choose to study either American Law or Louisiana Civil Code. – Source
15. During Napoleon’s 6 days stay in Malta, he reformed national administration, created twelve municipalities, created a public finance administration, abolished all feudal privileges and slavery, framed a family code, nominated twelve judges and established public education. – Source
16-20 Napoleon Bonaparte Facts
16. After defeating Napoleon at Waterloo, the Duke of Wellington went on to seduce two of Napoleon’s former mistresses and was presented Napoleon’s sword and a saucy painting of his sister at the war’s end. One mistress is quoted as having preferred the Duke in bed. – Source
17. In France, it is illegal to name a pig Napoleon.
18. Napoleon always spoke French with a Corsican accent, and never learned to write French properly. – Source
19. The Mongols did what Hitler and Napoleon failed to do – defeat the Russians during winter! – Source
20. Napoleon Bonaparte’s favorite lieutenant, Marshal Michel Ney, was granted permission at his execution to order the firing squad to fire. Ney told his men, “Wait for the order. It will be my last to you.” – Source
21-25 Napoleon Bonaparte Facts
21. Napoleon built a fort in the Atlantic Ocean only for it to be used for a game show in the 90s. – Source
22. French Emperor Napoleon wore poison around his neck in case of defeat. When he finally used it in 1814, it had lost its strength and only made him painfully ill. – Source
23. Napoleon was taller than both Lenin and Stalin. Source
24. When Napoleon was asked whether he wanted to be God, He thought it over and replied, ‘No, it’s a dead-end job.’ – Source
25. Russian Czar Alexander I, was so handsome, that Napoleon once remarked, “If he were a woman, I’d make him my mistress.” – Source
The source for 10 SPECIFICALLY says Rothschild didn’t use that information for financial gain and instead reported it to the government, which is the exact opposite of what your fact says. The idea that he kept the news secret and used it to make money is anti-semitic propaganda that was spread after the fact by his enemies. Please correct it because repeating this kind of prejudice, even inadvertently, is beneath you.