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Napoleon’s Final Journey: 10 Must-Know Facts about His Last Days and Death

One of the greatest military leaders in history was Napoleon Bonaparte (1769–1821). He made headlines during the French Revolution (1787–1799) and ruled France as emperor from 1804 to 1814 and once more in 1815. The Napoleonic Wars (1803–15) and Napoleon’s loss at the Battle of Waterloo on June 18, 1815, are what he is best known for today. 

The details of Napoleon Bonaparte’s life are astounding, including his incredible military victories over the united nations of Europe and his extensive legal and administrative reforms that affected an entire continent. But, the last few years of Napoleon Bonaparte were equally unusual, marked by a humiliating exile, a mystery death at age 51, and an odd series of events following his passing.

Here are facts about his last days and death.

1. Napoleon was exiled by the British government

, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Imagine Napoleon’s shock at learning he was being exiled, not to America as he had thought, but to the isolated island of St Helena in the middle of the Atlantic. St. Helena, off the west coast of Africa, was the best location for Napoleon’s exile because it was 1,200 miles from the closest land mass. 

2. Sir Hudson Lowe was chosen to serve as Governor of St. Helena while Napoleon was on the island

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Lowe’s primary responsibility was to make sure he didn’t run away, but he also had to make sure Napoleon and his entourage had supplies. Despite the fact that they only had six meetings, their relationship was known to be heated and acrimonious.

Their primary issue was that Lowe wouldn’t refer to Napoleon as the Emperor of France. Yet five years later, Napoleon succeeded in convincing Lowe to construct a new Longwood House.

3. Napoleon’s exile lasted for 6 years

While at first it was assumed that Napoleon would stay at Saint Helena for a few years it actually turned into 6 long years. While he was there he was completely isolated in the South Atlantic Ocean after his loss at the Battle of Waterloo. Of course, his time there was horrible and Napoleon complained about the loneliness and wetness. 

He suffered from respiratory problems and stomach aches the entire time he was in Saint Helena, and his health deteriorated. Besides the difficulties, Napoleon’s exile did not end until his passing in May 1821.

4. Napoleon had a personal physician in Saint Helena

Dr Barry served as Napoleon’s private doctor while he was in Saint Helena. While the exiled leader was on the island, Dr Barry O’Meara, an Irish physician, gave him medical attention as well as friendship.

Napoleon’s medical requirements were met, and he also took care of his breathing problems and recurring stomach aches. Yet as their ties to the British government weakened, Dr Barry’s position was ultimately terminated.

5. In his final years, Napoleon’s health deteriorated

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The whole point of being exiled was to let Napoleon slowly but surely deteriorate over the years. The long lonely years weren’t easy for him and had an impact on his health while he was in Saint Helena.

As a result, he lost a lot of weight, he was very weak and his respiratory problems did not get any better. As his strength diminished he was bedridden and this was an obvious sign that most of his years on the island were not going to go well.

6. Was it cancer or poison?

Stomach cancer was recorded as Napoleon’s official cause of death. He had had chronic stomach problems and complained of terrible abdominal pain the whole time he was in Saint Helena. The symptoms he had mostly led to him being diagnosed with stomach cancer. 

Historians have not yet concluded that he actually died of cancer and some actually argue that he had been poisoned with arsenic. But from the description and the medical documents it is widely accepted that the diagnosis of stomach cancer was pretty accurate.

7. He didn’t have the best living conditions

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Napoleon’s little house was not exactly the staycation location you’d imagine on an island, no! Napoleon complained about the house’s structural issues, the leaks and the wetness that caused the dampness which was probably why he got the respiratory issues. His house was decaying while he lived there and this is yet another example of killing someone slowly but surely. 

8. He dictated his final will on his deathbed

Napoleon had an event known as the deathbed scene that happened on May 5th, 1821. As he was dying he made the “Will of Saint Helena” a will that outlined his preferences for where he wanted his possessions shared and where he wanted them, his desire was that his things would be buried close to the Seine River’s banks in France.

It is said that his last words were to his wife when he said  “France, the army, chief of the army, Josephine,” revealing his unwavering loyalty to both his native country and his ex-wife. 

9. An autopsy was performed after Napoleon’s death

There has been debate over the autopsy performed after Napoleon’s death. His heart was taken out of his body for additional investigation during a postmortem examination. The preservation and care of his heart, however, sparked disputes. Others say that because it was not properly maintained, it deteriorated over time, while some assert that it was preserved as an artefact.

A fascinating layer of mystery has been added to the circumstances surrounding Napoleon’s autopsy and what happened to his heart as a result of the controversy that has resulted in ongoing discussions among historians and experts.

10. His remains were moved to France

, , via Wikimedia Commons

Initially, Napoleon’s remains were buried in Saint Helena but his remains were dug up and sent to France in 1840. Even though he died in isolation he was actually given a state funeral with a proper ceremony and his mausoleum was put in Les Invalides in Paris. 

Napoleon’s mausoleum, the Dome des Invalides, came to symbolise his lasting influence on French history. The mausoleum is still in use today as a destination for visitors and a reminder of the lasting impact of one of history’s most significant figures.