Napoleon Bonaparte [ b ] born Napoleone Buonaparte ; [ 1 ] [ c ] 15 August β 5 May , later known by his regnal name Napoleon I , was a French general and statesman who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led a series of military campaigns across Europe during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars from to He led the French Republic as First Consul from to , then ruled the French Empire as Emperor of the French from to , and briefly again in Born on the island of Corsica to a family of Italian origin, Napoleon moved to mainland France in and was commissioned as an officer in the French Royal Army in He supported the French Revolution in , and promoted its cause in Corsica.
In , Napoleon commanded a military campaign against the Austrians and their Italian allies in the War of the First Coalition , scoring decisive victories and becoming a national hero.
He led an invasion of Egypt and Syria in which served as a springboard to political power. He won the Battle of Marengo in , which secured France's victory in the War of the Second Coalition , and in sold the territory of Louisiana to the United States. In December , Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of the French, further expanding his power. Napoleon shattered the coalition with a decisive victory at the Battle of Austerlitz , which led to the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire.
Seeking to extend his trade embargo against Britain , Napoleon invaded the Iberian Peninsula and installed his brother Joseph as King of Spain in , provoking the Peninsular War.
In , the Austrians again challenged France in the War of the Fifth Coalition , in which Napoleon solidified his grip over Europe after winning the Battle of Wagram.
