Napoleon, as a larger-than-life historical figure, had many enemies. The belief that Napoleon was exceptionally short can be attributed to a combination of factors, including political propaganda, height comparisons with his contemporaries, and misconceptions perpetuated by later works of art and literature. However, it is worth questioning the reliability of this measurement, as it was taken during his time as an exile on the remote island of Saint Helena, where his health had deteriorated.
O’Meara, recorded Napoleon’s height as 5 feet 2 inches (1.57 meters). For instance, his personal physician, Dr. It is worth mentioning that accounts of Napoleon’s height have varied, leading to further confusion regarding his actual stature. It is important to note that height standards have changed over time due to improvements in nutrition and advances in healthcare, so comparing historical figures’ heights to modern averages can be misleading. The general consensus among historians is that Napoleon was approximately 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters) tall, which was not significantly shorter than the average height of Frenchmen in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Napoleon Bonaparte, born on August 15, 1769, in Corsica, France, stood at a height that was average for his time.
