The Life of Napoleon Buonaparte, Emperor of the French
With a Preliminary View of the French Revolution

A detailed biography of Napoleon Bonaparte (1769–1821) containing a review of the French Revolution, first published in 1827.

Walter Scott (Author)

9781108023207, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 December 2010

540 pages
21.6 x 3.1 x 14 cm, 0.68 kg

Sir Walter Scott (1771–1832) was a prolific Scottish poet and historical novelist who was one of the most popular romantic novelists of the nineteenth century. After studying law at Edinburgh University, Scott first started writing at the age of 25. Having made his name as a poet, he wrote the phenomenally successful novel Waverley in 1814 and was made a baronet in 1820. These volumes, first published in 1827, contain Scott's detailed biography of Napoleon Bonaparte (1769–1821). Including a detailed review of the French Revolution, Scott focuses on Napoleon's legacy to France and his military genius, purposefully remaining non-partisan and discussing Napoleon's life and achievements without bias. The result of extensive research and correspondence with Napoleon's surviving colleagues, these volumes were extremely successful and remain valuable for the study of Napoleon's life and changing public reaction. Volume 9 covers 1815–1821, including Napoleon's exile on St. Helena.

1. Buonaparte's arrival at Paris
2. Disposition of the British fleet along the western coast of France, on order to prevent Buonaparte's escape
3. Napoleon's real view of the measure of sending him to St. Helena
4. Causes which justify the English government in the measure of Napoleon's banishment
5. Buonaparte's alleged grievances considered
6. Instructions to Sir Hudson Lowe for his treatment of Napoleon
7. Napoleon's domestic habits
8. Napoleon's illness
Appendices: 1. Additional notes on Napoleon's early career
2. Descent of the French in South Wales, under General Tate
3. Historical notes on the 18th Brumaire
4. Instructions by Napoleon to Talleyrand, Prince of Benevetum
5. Further particulars concerning the arrest, trial, and death of the Duke D'Enghien
6. Reflections on the conduct of Napoleon towards the Prince Royal of Sweden
7. Extract from manuscript observations on Napoleon's Russian campaign, by an English officer of rank
8. Remarks on the campaign of 1815
9. Buonaparte's protest
10. States of thermometer, as taken at Deadwood, Island of St. Helena, during 12 calendar months, viz. from 1st Sept. 1820, to 31st Aug. 1821 inclusive
11. Interview betwixt Napoleon Buonaparte and Henry Ellis, Esq. third commissioner of Lord Amherst's embassy to China
12. Buonaparte's last will and testament
13. Memorandum of the establishment at Longwood
14. Interview between Buonaparte and widow of Theobald Wolfe Tone.

Subject Areas: European history [HBJD]