FALSE

Napoleon Bonaparte was not extremely short; he was of average height for the era in which he lived 3710. Historians estimate his actual height was between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 7 inches (approximately 1.68 to 1.7 meters) 239. The widely held belief that he was only 5 feet 2 inches tall stems from a discrepancy between French and British measurement units 56. At the time of his death, he was recorded as 5 feet 2 inches in French inches, which were longer than the English equivalent 68. This measurement error, combined with British propaganda designed to mock him, created a lasting stigma 47. While he may have appeared shorter while standing next to his Elite Imperial Guard, who were selected for their tall stature, his height was typical for a Frenchman of the early 19th century 10.