A Conversation on Napoleon on the Bicentenary of His Death
The story of just and unjust leaders
The following is a conversation on Napoleon Bonaparte I (KT) had the pleasure of having with Professor Ludo Van der Heyden, the INSEAD Professor of Corporate Governance. Professor Van der Heyden (LVH) has written extensively on Napoleon. Through this article, he is kindly sharing his deep insights and knowledge with readers on the internet.
The Young Napoleon
KT: Why should we study history? Will Durant answered this question by writing, “History is, above all else, the creation and recording of [our] heritage. To those of us who study history [it is] not merely a warning reminder of man’s follies and crimes, but also an encouraging remembrance of generative souls.”
Two hundred years ago, on May 5, 1821, on the island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean, Napoleon Bonaparte died at age 51. More than any other historical figure, a study of Napoleon teaches us about both sides of the balance sheet — the terrible wrongdoings we humans can bring upon ourselves and others, as well as the immense benefits we can enjoy via…
