Born: 15 August 1769
Ajaccio, Corsica
Died: 5 May 1821 (aged 51)
Longwood, Saint Helena, British Empire
Titles: Emperor of the French
Reign: 18 May 1804 - 11 April 1814 (9 years, 328 days)
20 March 1815 - 22 June 1815 (94 days)
King of Italy
Reign: 17 March 1805 - 11 April 1814
*Napoleon married Josephine de Beauharnais in 1796, when he was twenty-six; she was a thirty-two-year-old widow whose first husband had been executed during the Revolution. Until she met Bonaparte, she had been known as 'Rose', a name which he disliked. He called her 'Josephine' instead, and she went by this name henceforth. Bonaparte often sent her love letters while on his campaigns. (wikipedia.org)
December 1795
I wake filled with thoughts of you. Your portrait and the intoxicating evening which we spent yesterday have
left my senses in turmoil. Sweet incomparable Josephine, what a strange effect you have on my heart! Are you angry? Do I see you looking sad? Are you worried? ...
My soul aches with sorrow, and there can be no rest for your lover; but is there still more in store for me
when, yielding to the profound feelings which overwhelm me, I draw from your lips, from your heart a love which consumes me with fire? Ah! it was last night that I fully realized how false an image of you your portrait gives!
You are leaving at noon; I shall see you in three hours.
Until then, mio dolce amor, a thousand kisses; but give me none in return, for they set my blood on fire.
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