Correspondence of Napoleon I Project

Napoleonic Newsdesk

by Paul Chamberlain

The Foundation Napoleon has embarked upon an ambitious project to publish for the first time in a single edition the thousands of letters written or dictated by Napoleon. These letters will include both those already published and those that are constantly coming to light. The project was launched in February 2002 and so far, 3,000 letters have been processed, analysed to ensure their authenticity, and details stored on computer.

While many of Napoleon's letters have been published (many in the famous but incomplete Correspondance de Napoléon published during the Second Empire), the project will search for unpublished material in the Paris Archives Nationales and amongst private collectors. The material will be published in about twenty volumes, at the rate of two or three per year, beginning in the autumn of 2004, to coincide with the Bicentenary of the coronation of Napoleon I.

Many people have so far taken part in this scheme, from public institutions and collections, and private collectors. The Fondation would be very interested to hear from anyone who has correspondence from Napoleon I in his or her archive/collection.

If you are able and interested in participating with this project, then contact Dr Peter Hicks, Fondation Napoléon, 148 blvd Haussmann, 75008 Paris, France. Email: hicks@Napoleon.org or visit the website www.Napoleon.org .

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