Unpublished Correspondence of Napoleon I

What it is

This book presents letters written by Napoleon Bonaparte that were preserved in the French War Archives and had not been included in earlier official collections. It was edited by Ernest Picard and Louis Tuetey and translated by Louise Seymour Houghton, published in 1913, covering the years 1804 to 1807.

Why it matters

The earlier official correspondence of Napoleon, published under Napoleon III, left out many letters. This edition adds to our understanding of his military and political decisions during the early years of his empire, showing how historians continued uncovering his record long after his death.

Look closer

• Why might earlier editors have left some of Napoleon's letters unpublished?
• What does it mean that this correspondence was kept in a War Archive?
• How might later historians' choices about what to publish shape our view of Napoleon?