Primary sourceBook1790
Précis de l'histoire de Corse
Napoleon Bonaparte · 1790
A short history of Corsica written by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1790, tracing the island's past.
Napoleon wrote this short history of Corsica himself, showing his early intellectual interests and regional loyalty.
About this source
What it is
This is a brief history of Corsica written by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1790. It survives in French and is listed on Wikisource among his early essays.
Why it matters
Written before Napoleon rose to power, this text shows how he understood and presented his homeland's history, including its ancient rulers and conflicts. It reflects the pride he took in Corsica and his early interest in writing and politics.
Look closer
- What historical claims does Napoleon make about Corsica's past rulers?
- Why might a young officer have chosen to write a history of his homeland?
- What does this text suggest about how Napoleon saw his own origins?
This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Napoleon Bonaparte on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.
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