# Napoleon II

> The second Emperor of the French (1815)

**Wikidata**: [Q7723](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7723)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleon_II)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/napoleon-ii

## Summary
Napoleon II was the second Emperor of the French, reigning for a brief period in 1815 following the abdication of his father, Napoleon I. Born into the House of Bonaparte, he is historically recognized as the Duke of Reichstadt and held the title of King of Rome before his early death in 1832. Although his political power was nominal, he remains a significant figure in European history as the designated heir to the Napoleonic Empire.

## Biography
- **Born**: March 20, 1811 (Paris, France)
- **Nationality**: French (Citizenship of France)
- **Education**: Data not available in source material
- **Known for**: Being the second Emperor of the French (1815) and holding the title Duke of Reichstadt
- **Employer(s)**: House of Bonaparte (Imperial and royal European dynasty)
- **Field(s)**: Monarchy, Imperial succession

## Contributions
Based on the provided source material, Napoleon II did not produce independent works, patents, or founded organizations, as his life was cut short at age 21. His primary historical "contribution" was his existence as the designated successor to the First French Empire, which briefly led to his proclamation as Emperor in 1815.
- **Imperial Proclamation**: Served as the nominal Emperor of the French for a short duration in 1815.
- **Dynastic Continuity**: Represented the continuation of the House of Bonaparte and the Napoleonic line of succession.
- **Honorary Recognition**: Received high-ranking chivalric awards, including the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, the Order of the Iron Crown (Kingdom of Italy), the Order of Saint Stephen of Hungary, and the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George.

## FAQs
**Who was Napoleon II and what was his primary title?**
Napoleon II was the son of Napoleon I and served as the second Emperor of the French in 1815. He is also widely known by his Austrian title, the Duke of Reichstadt, after being raised in the Austrian court.

**When and where was Napoleon II born and when did he die?**
He was born on March 20, 1811, and died on July 22, 1832. His life spanned only 21 years, ending in Vienna.

**What awards and honors did Napoleon II receive?**
He was awarded the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, the Order of the Iron Crown, the Order of Saint Stephen of Hungary, and the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George. These honors recognized his status within the Napoleonic and broader European aristocratic systems.

**What is the significance of the House of Bonaparte in relation to Napoleon II?**
The House of Bonaparte is the imperial and royal European dynasty to which Napoleon II belonged. He was the central figure of this dynasty's second generation, serving as the heir apparent to the French throne.

## Why They Matter
Napoleon II matters as a symbolic figurehead who represented the potential continuity of the Napoleonic Empire, even though he never exercised actual political power. His brief reign in 1815 marked the final attempt to restore the First French Empire before the Bourbon Restoration was fully cemented. His life and titles influenced the political landscape of 19th-century Europe, serving as a focal point for Bonapartist movements and diplomatic negotiations between France and Austria. Without his existence, the specific dynastic claims and the historical narrative of the "King of Rome" would not exist, altering the lineage of the Bonaparte family's legacy.

## Notable For
- **Second Emperor of the French**: Held the title for a brief period in 1815.
- **Duke of Reichstadt**: Known by this title during his life in Austria.
- **Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour**: Received the fifth rank of this prestigious French order.
- **Order of the Iron Crown**: Awarded this order of merit from the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy.
- **Order of Saint Stephen of Hungary**: Recipient of this order of knighthood founded in 1764.
- **Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George**: Honored with this chivalric order.
- **House of Bonaparte**: A key member of the imperial and royal European dynasty.
- **Short Reign**: His time as Emperor lasted only a few weeks in 1815.
- **Early Death**: Died at the age of 21 in 1832.

## Body

### Early Life and Identity
Napoleon II was born on March 20, 1811, in Paris, France. He was a human member of the species *Homo sapiens* and a citizen of France. His full name was Napoléon François Joseph Charles Bonaparte. He was an instance of the House of Bonaparte, an imperial and royal European dynasty. His birth marked the continuation of the Napoleonic line, and he was immediately recognized as the King of Rome. He held the title of Duke of Reichstadt later in life. His life was short, ending on July 22, 1832.

### Titles and Honors
Napoleon II received several significant awards and recognitions throughout his short life. He was awarded the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, which is the fifth rank of the French Legion of Honour. He also received the Order of the Iron Crown, an order of merit in the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy that existed in three classes between 1805 and 1814. Additionally, he was honored with the Order of Saint Stephen of Hungary, an order of knighthood founded by Holy Roman Empress Maria Theresa in 1764. He also held the title associated with the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George, a chivalric order with ancient origins. These awards reflect his status within the European aristocratic and military hierarchy.

### Political Role and Reign
In 1815, Napoleon II was proclaimed the second Emperor of the French. This occurred during the Hundred Days, following the abdication of his father, Napoleon I. Although he held the title, his actual political power was nominal, as he was an infant at the time and was subsequently raised in Austria. His reign was brief, and he never ruled France in a practical sense. Despite this, his title as Emperor remains a key historical fact. He is associated with the First French Empire, which was proclaimed in 1804.

### Family and Dynasty
Napoleon II was a member of the House of Bonaparte, an imperial and royal European dynasty. This dynasty played a central role in European history during the early 19th century. His father was Napoleon I, the first Emperor of the French. The House of Bonaparte is recognized as a significant European royal house. Napoleon II's existence ensured the continuation of the Bonaparte bloodline, although he had no children.

### Legacy and Historical Context
Napoleon II is remembered primarily for his title and his connection to the Napoleonic era. He is often referred to by various aliases, including Franz, Duke of Reichstadt, François-Charles-Joseph, and Herzog von Reichstadt. His life spanned the transition from the First French Empire to the Restoration period. He died in 1832, leaving behind a legacy as a symbol of the Napoleonic dream. His story is documented in various historical records, including his signature and portraits by artists such as Michael Moritz Daffinger. He is associated with the Grandes Armes Impériales (1804-1815) and is a subject of numerous biographical entries.

### Identification and Records
Napoleon II is identified by numerous unique identifiers in academic and archival databases. His Wikidata ID is Q93671. He is listed in the Library of Congress with the ID n50042061 and in the German National Library with the ID 118743996. His VIAF ID is 103645458. He is also cataloged in the Bibliothèque nationale de France with the ID 119352080. These records confirm his historical presence and the extensive documentation of his life. He is the subject of the Wikipedia article titled "Napoleon II" and is described as the second Emperor of the French. His image, "Der Herzog von Reichstadt," is held by the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Reichstadt, Napoleon Franz Joseph Karl Herzog von (BLKÖ)
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. SNAC
5. Find a Grave
6. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
7. The Peerage
8. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. Virtual International Authority File
11. Österreichisches Biographisches Lexikon 1815–1950
12. Commons Creator page
13. CERL Thesaurus
14. LIBRIS. 2012
15. Sejm-Wielki.pl
16. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
17. HMML Authority File
18. Catalogo of the National Library of India