The Strange Case of Killer Green: Was Napoleon Murdered by Accidental Design?
by It now seems likely that none of these illnesses caused his death, and there is no evidence that anybody did, or tried to, kill him. In 1982, however, more than 160 years after Napoleon’s death, a respected British chemist unearthed evidence that the great man was indeed poisoned – but by a thing, not a person. And that thing may well have been the wallpaper in his house on St. Helena, where the British had exiled Napoleon in 1815.
Almost from the moment that Napoleon Bonaparte drew his last breath in May 1821, medical experts and historians have argued about the cause of his death at the age of 51.
Was it cancer, as officially reported? At least one doctor present at the postmortem examination disagreed, claiming it was hepatitis. Other experts have suggested syphilis or tuberculosis or malaria. Some even believe that former emperor was assassinated – poisoned by an enemy.
It now seems likely that none of these illnesses caused his death, and there is no evidence that anybody did, or tried to, kill him. In 1982, however, more than 160 years after Napoleon’s death, a respected British chemist unearthed evidence that the great man was indeed poisoned – but by a thing, not a person. And that thing may well have been the wallpaper in his house on St. Helena, where the British had exiled Napoleon in 1815.
Isolation and Despair
St. Helena is a hot and humid volcanic rock jutting out of the Atlantic Ocean some 1,200 miles off the west coast of Africa. Longwood House, where Napoleon resided his French officers and servants, was a single-story building so damp that the paper on its walls was moldy and peeling.
At first, life on St. Helena seems to have been tolerable for Napoleon, who enjoyed gardening and riding horseback. As time went on, however, his custodians permitted him less and less freedom. Increasingly deprived of companions and outdoor activity, he became depressed, spent much of his time indoors, and lapsed into chronic ill health. He suffered from chills, nausea, fevers. At times his legs would swell so that he could not walk without pain, and he had pain in his shoulder and in the region of the liver. In addition, he suffered frequent spells of vomiting and complained of headaches, lethargy, and dizziness. His skin began to take on a yellowish tinge.
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Post Commentcardy
On October 6, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Wow what a fab read enjoyed it!!
Lucas Dié
On October 6, 2009 at 6:29 pm
That was very enjoyable and informative!
Uma Shankari
On October 6, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Very interesting. And what an end! Napolean was know for his energy and drive. Have read stories about how he could sleep at will. If he died because of the moldy wallpaper, it should be an eye-opener. Many chemicals we use at homes are toxic and are one of the reasons for autoimmune diseases and cancer. Yet we let them be.
ceegirl
On October 6, 2009 at 7:15 pm
good, very interesting
Joe Dorish
On October 6, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Sounds like the logical conclusion was that he died from arsenic poisoning but did the British know? Would not blame them if they did.
CHAN LEE PENG
On October 6, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Interesting read. I agee to Joe, if Napoleon died of aesnic poisoning, didn’t the British goverment know? This, of course, an eye opener article. Thanks.
Ruby Hawk
On October 6, 2009 at 9:46 pm
I love reading history, very interesting, I didn’t know they could find if a person was poisoned at that time.
Susan
On October 6, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Recently there has been a lot of research on mold itself as a killer. The spores from mildew has been found to be highly toxic.
This was a well-researched article, and very interesting. Based on what you have written though, it sounds like the mold itself was the culprit.
Idazalee
On October 6, 2009 at 11:01 pm
A great and well researched article. I Liked it! ..nice story as usual..Thanks for sharing
Shirley Shuler
On October 6, 2009 at 11:03 pm
This was a great read, I enjoyed it very much!!
wonder
On October 6, 2009 at 11:22 pm
An ironic ending of a legend.So gripping an episode the article really fills you with a variety of emotions.
deep blue
On October 7, 2009 at 1:15 am
A marvelous, informative, research work on history. Thanks for sharing my friend.
Doaa Abdelfattah
On October 7, 2009 at 1:25 am
Very informative, I really enjoyed it.Great work.
Christine Ramsay
On October 7, 2009 at 3:28 am
A very interesting read. It is amazing that a diagnosis can be made so long after the event. A good post.
Christine
Patrick Bernauw
On October 7, 2009 at 3:52 am
One of my favorite historical mystery cases! Well done!
Lorenzo A. Fernandez Jr.
On October 7, 2009 at 3:55 am
quite intriguing, this is an unusual finding about about Nap’s cause of death…
Francois Hagnere
On October 7, 2009 at 4:39 am
I wrote and studied a lot about Napoleon. Many things have been said. Your article is very well researched. However, Napoleon underwent maltreatment in Saint-Helena and it was proven that Hudson Lowe was more than an unpleasant gaoler. Nothing was done by the British to help making Napoleon’s house more comfortable. Tha climate there is terrible and they did know about humidity. In their revenge, the British have been quite unhuman.
Faith Hodge
On October 7, 2009 at 4:49 am
I did enjoy reading this. Really interesting. TU Thanks for sharing.
Amry
On October 7, 2009 at 4:52 am
A great and very interesting article..Well written and some information I didn’t know.. yet, another unsolved mystery case..Thank you for bring such a great story and research on a very interesting subjects. Stumbled.
unown971
On October 7, 2009 at 6:07 am
Interesting article!
Sherry Wallace
On October 7, 2009 at 12:01 pm
I enjoyed reading about Napoleon and his accidental poisoning from wallpaper. Thanks, mrghaz.
papaleng
On October 7, 2009 at 1:08 pm
a very interesting topic . you have done some deep researching..
ken bultman
On October 7, 2009 at 5:37 pm
Absolutely incredible.
wamo was
On October 9, 2009 at 11:34 am
Very, very, very nice!!!
hollynoel001
On October 9, 2009 at 9:25 pm
i agree with other readers what an eye opener well researched as usual makes you wonder what really happened!!
SosanM
On October 10, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Very Well Written.
Christ
On October 10, 2009 at 7:58 pm
I love a mystery. A very interesting topics and nice read indeed! Great post, enjoyed your article very much!!
Amry
On October 10, 2009 at 8:02 pm
That was really interesting. I have learnt something new today. A great piece. Thank you Mr Ghaz! Stumbled
Frosty Johnson
On October 11, 2009 at 10:12 am
A very interesting article, well done a good read.
CutestPrincess
On November 4, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Well researched with fantastic photos.