Born in Corsica to a family of minor Italian nobility, he studied in France, where he became an officer in the artillery and then a general during the French Revolution.

Having gained prestige and esteem thanks to his victories during the first Italian campaign, after the coup d'état of 18 Brumaire (9 November 1799) he assumed power in France: He was First Consul from November of that year until 18 May 1804, and Emperor of the French, with the name of Napoleon I (Napoléon Ier) from 2 December 1804 to 14 April 1814 and again from 20 March to 22 June 1815.

He was also President of the Italian Republic from 1802 to 1805, King of Italy from 1805 to 1814, ‘mediator’ of the Swiss Confederation from 1803 to 1813 and ‘protector’ of the Confederation of the Rhine from 1806 to 1813.