Napoleon Bonaparte was born in Corscia on the fifteenth of August 1769. Born into a poor family, Napoleon was educated at public expense. Many publications were written containing false information with the purpose of tainting his character in this early period of his life. While in Brienne, it was a custom for one boy from the school to dine with the principal each night. When it came time for Napoleon to first dine with the principal, he was already upset with the Corscian independence ending, and joining France. Thus, when the principal spoke ill of Paoli, a man who led the Corsican resistance, Napoleon retorted, saying, “Paoli is a great man, he loved his country, and I shall never forgive my father for consenting to the union of Corsica with France. He ought to have followed the fortunes of Paoli.” This was an early example of the temper and passion that brewed within the young mind, as he demonstrated his loyalty to his home country, even if it meant bad mouthing his own father.
He was not well received by his comrades in Brienne either. In fact he would rarely socialize with them, and did not enjoy taking part in their games. Ever since his home country’s submission to France, he would steal away to the library all alone during play hours to read works of history that he was particularly fond of. His temper was also frequently exploited by his school mates, who would tease him for the Christian name Napoleon, his Italian accent, poor French, and his home country of Corsica. They made fun of him so much that Napoleon stated “I will do these French all the mischief I can.” This was another example of temper and power growing within the young boy. During the severe winter storms of 1783, Napoleon was able to persuade his comrades into a mock war. Building a fortress of snow, he divided the boys into two parties and had the fortress attacked and defended. This went on for a fortnight. He was said to have done so with great skill, exhibiting a “great understanding of directing the energy of others."
Napoleon’s mind was drawn to political science. He would spend most of his time talking about government, legislation, and commercial relations, among other things. He possessed a constant desire to acquire knowledge, and knowing only how to speak the Coriscan dialect, he was quick to learn the French language. Napoleon was immensely smart when it came to mathematics, where he was considered by many to be the smartest at the college. Napoleon was not one to care for the study of languages, literature, or the arts, despite his quick grasp of the French language. He had no intention of ever becoming a scholar, and thus the monks of the College were led to believe that he was a very stupid individual. In 1784, an inspector of the military school described Bonaparte in a note as being excellent in and distinguished by his exceeding skills in mathematics, passable in his knowledge of history and geography, however his Latin studies were not up to par. The note concluded by stating that Napoleon would make an excellent sailor and that he deserved to be passed on to the Military School of Paris.
He was not well received by his comrades in Brienne either. In fact he would rarely socialize with them, and did not enjoy taking part in their games. Ever since his home country’s submission to France, he would steal away to the library all alone during play hours to read works of history that he was particularly fond of. His temper was also frequently exploited by his school mates, who would tease him for the Christian name Napoleon, his Italian accent, poor French, and his home country of Corsica. They made fun of him so much that Napoleon stated “I will do these French all the mischief I can.” This was another example of temper and power growing within the young boy. During the severe winter storms of 1783, Napoleon was able to persuade his comrades into a mock war. Building a fortress of snow, he divided the boys into two parties and had the fortress attacked and defended. This went on for a fortnight. He was said to have done so with great skill, exhibiting a “great understanding of directing the energy of others."
Napoleon’s mind was drawn to political science. He would spend most of his time talking about government, legislation, and commercial relations, among other things. He possessed a constant desire to acquire knowledge, and knowing only how to speak the Coriscan dialect, he was quick to learn the French language. Napoleon was immensely smart when it came to mathematics, where he was considered by many to be the smartest at the college. Napoleon was not one to care for the study of languages, literature, or the arts, despite his quick grasp of the French language. He had no intention of ever becoming a scholar, and thus the monks of the College were led to believe that he was a very stupid individual. In 1784, an inspector of the military school described Bonaparte in a note as being excellent in and distinguished by his exceeding skills in mathematics, passable in his knowledge of history and geography, however his Latin studies were not up to par. The note concluded by stating that Napoleon would make an excellent sailor and that he deserved to be passed on to the Military School of Paris.
Napoleon was one of the five selected to go in 1784. During his stay here, Napoleon wrote a memoir on the luxurious lifestyle that was given to those at the college, and how he felt it rendered students frivolous. In it, he suggested that the students should be made to eat coarse bread, brush their own clothes, and clean their own boots instead. He stated that these actions would inspire soldiers with respect. He did not remain at the school long though, as his superiors were anxious to be rid of him, and his examination periods were accelerated. He was able to obtain the first open sub-lieutenancy in a regiment of artillery.
By April 1792, Napoleon was twenty-three with little money, who was searching tirelessly to make a profit, was soliciting a job at the War Office. On the 20th of June that year, Napoleon bore witness firsthand to the armed populace that invaded the royal apartments of the Tuileries. Later that night, Bonaparte spoke of the failed insurrection and the consequences that would likely ensue because of it. Sure enough on August 10th, Napoleon’s predictions were true. The palace of the Tuileries was stormed and the Swiss Guard stationed there was overwhelmed and massacred. This marked a turning point in the revolution. It was after these events that Napoleon would leave for Corsica and he would not return until 1793.
By April 1792, Napoleon was twenty-three with little money, who was searching tirelessly to make a profit, was soliciting a job at the War Office. On the 20th of June that year, Napoleon bore witness firsthand to the armed populace that invaded the royal apartments of the Tuileries. Later that night, Bonaparte spoke of the failed insurrection and the consequences that would likely ensue because of it. Sure enough on August 10th, Napoleon’s predictions were true. The palace of the Tuileries was stormed and the Swiss Guard stationed there was overwhelmed and massacred. This marked a turning point in the revolution. It was after these events that Napoleon would leave for Corsica and he would not return until 1793.