Napoleon Bonaparte (15 August 1769. – 5 May 1821.) was a French military and political leader who rose to prominence during the latter stages of the French Revolution and its associated wars in Europe. As Napoleon I, he was Emperor of the French from 1804 to 1814. He brought about several important changes across Europe, including the abolition of feudalism and the spread of religious toleration. After a disastrous French invasion of Russia in 1812, Napoleon abdicated the throne two years later and was exiled to the Island of Elba. After a cruising defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, he abdicated once again and was exiled to the remote island of Saint Helena, where he died at 51.