Miriam & Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs
Art and Architecture Collection

Napoleonic Era: A Research Guide

Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) came to prominence in France as a military and political figure by 1796. He consolidated his political power in 1800 and had himself constituted sole ruler of France in 1804. Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, presided over an empire that ran from May 1804 to April 1814. His return from exile and second reign ended abruptly after the Hundred Days on the battlefield of Waterloo in June 1815. This research guide will focus on scholarly resources in The New York Public Library that pertain to biographical, historical, military, and literary publications on Napoleon and his times—a period of sweeping social change in Europe.

A Note on Subject Scope:

The literature written on the Napoleonic era is staggering in numbers. As of September 2004, The New York Public Library’s online CATNYP catalog contains 2695 entries under Napoleon I alone and 117 records for his first Empress, Josephine. 760 entries appear for France—History—Consulate and First Empire, 1799-1815.

This research guide is intended to provide direct access to the broadest, most authoritative popular history book publications in the English language on this subject. Works cited are by British, American, and European scholars in translations. The study of Napoleon and his world has received much critical reappraisal in the later 20^th century. Many of the resources annotated here were consulted during research preparation for The New York Public Library exhibition, Decoration in the Age of Napoleon: Empire Elegance Versus Regency Refinement, Edna Barnes Salomon Gallery, September 3, 2004  – April 2, 2005.  

If you need further assistance, visit our reference desk, or e-mail us at grdref@nypl.org

Compiled by Paula A. Baxter, Art & Architecture Collection, 12/04