Napoleon
Napoleon Bonaparte was one of the most influential figures in European history. He rose to power as a general during the French Revolution and was Emperor of France from 1804 to 1814. He transformed much of Europe with his military campaigns. As a leader, he established a centralized government system that replaced feudalism and implemented reforms such as religious toleration and educational reform. His rule brought stability to many parts of Europe after years of war and revolution, but it also caused disruption due to its expansionist policies that led to wars against Britain, Russia, Austria, and other countries. After his defeat at Waterloo in 1815, he was exiled from France. He died on St Helena island, six years later.
Despite being viewed negatively by some for his imperialist ambitions, Napoleon's legacy has been celebrated throughout history as that of a brilliant strategist who changed the political landscape forever through conquest and reform alike. Many aspects of modern society owe their origin or development to him, including civil codes like the Napoleonic Code; an education system based on national standards; advances in transportation infrastructure, such as roads; improvements in science like the classification systems used today; new ideas about how governments should be structured (such as equality before law); administrative changes, including decimalized currency; greater public involvement in politics via referendums; even cuisine, with dishes like beef Wellington. Despite having lost power over two centuries ago, Napoleon left an indelible mark on our world today, which makes him one of the greatest leaders ever known.