Napoleon Bonaparte was a French general and statesman who rose to prominence during the French Revolution. Born on August 15, 1769, in Corsica, he became a national hero through military victories in the late 18th century. Napoleon seized political power in France in 1799, first as First Consul and later crowned himself Emperor of the French in 1804. He led France through the Napoleonic Wars, creating the largest continental European empire since Charlemagne and implementing significant reforms like the Napoleonic Code. Despite early successes, his invasion of Russia in 1812 marked the beginning of his decline, leading to his defeat, exile, return, and final defeat at Waterloo in 1815. He died in exile on the island of Saint Helena in 1821. Napoleon is remembered as one of history's greatest military generals and a controversial figure for his reforms and autocratic rule.