The Intellectual Conqueror
General Bonaparte was a man of many talents. While his military exploits on the battlefield are the stuff of legend, he also carefully cultivated an image as an intellectual and patron of the arts. In fact, Bonaparte recognized that if he wanted to achieve power and be accepted by the French elite, it was crucial for him to be seen as more than just a conqueror.
One of Bonaparte’s strategic moves was getting elected to the prestigious National Institute in December 1797, replacing the disgraced Lazare Carnot. This was no small feat – Bonaparte managed to cultivate the right contacts, even while on campaign in Italy, to secure this prestigious position. After his election, he proudly wore the uniform of an Institute member whenever he made a public appearance, and his correspondence bore the heading “Bonaparte, member of the National Institute, General-in-Chief” – clearly expressing his preference for the civilian title.
“To be an amateur of the arts and sciences was not only to rally the country’s elite around his person, it was also to act as a patriot avid to work towards the reconstruction of revolutionary France.”
The Enlightened Warrior
Bonaparte also carefully curated his image as an enlightened, scientific leader. When assembling his team for the expedition to Egypt, he prioritized recruiting members of the Institute and students from the newly created grandes écoles. This allowed him to cloak the invasion in the guise of a “civilizing mission” – presenting himself as a friend of the arts and sciences, rather than just a military conqueror.
“He had started, in the early stages of the campaign in Italy, using the Parisian press to present himself as a kind of Cato or Cincinnatus – a general philosopher capable of abandoning the art of warfare for the world of letters and sciences.”
The Modest Hero
Even after his triumphant return from Italy, Bonaparte went out of his way to project an image of modesty and humility. When he arrived in Dunkirk, he dressed in bourgeois attire and mingled with the spectators in the pit, rather than accepting the adulation of the crowd. This was a “studied, remarkably sensitive calculation” to enhance his reputation and avoid being seen as a Caesar-like figure returning to Rome.
“The interesting thing is that Bonaparte was perhaps the first figure in modern history to foster the illusion of avoiding public acclaim, when his real goal was to attract it. It was a ploy that worked.”
By carefully cultivating this multifaceted image – as an intellectual, scientific leader, and modest hero – Bonaparte was able to position himself as more than just a military man. This strategic repositioning would ultimately pave the way for his rise to power and the establishment of the French Empire.
