Napoleon the First, a Corsican with Pale Skin, Clear Eyes and Red Hair: DNA Evidence for these Phenotypic Traits

Abstract

Objective: We report the results we obtained on DNA concerning the colours of the face, of the eyes and of the hairs of Napoléon the First (1769-1821). Methods: His genomic DNA was previously extracted from one of her authenticated hair lock (dating from 1811). The DNA polymorphisms tested were those of the MATP gene for the skin colour, and of the rs 12913822 in intron 86 of the HERC2 for the eye colour ; for hair colour, the entire DNA sequence of the MC1-R gene was studied, in the search of alleles responsible of the red hair. Results: The genomic DNA is homozygous FF for the F374L polymorphism of the MATPgene ; consequently, Napoléon had a pale face. It is also homozygous CC for the rs12913822 polymorphism ; it results that he had a 99% probability of having clear (blue or green) eyes. The examination of the complete DNA sequence of the MC1-R gene shows the Napoléon genomic DNA is heterozygous CG for the rs1805009 polymorphism , that corresponding to the D294H mutation which is the most frequent of the three common mutations of the gene causing red hairs. Conclusions: According to results obtained on genotypic studies, Napoléon was of the phenotype : pale skin of the face, blue or grey colours of the eyes, and with red hairs. These distinctive features can be observed on a picture of Napoléon dating from 1803, and was also reported by several of the Napoléon's contemporaries.

The RUSI Mask is an Authentic Replicate of the Original Death Mask of Napoléon

“…Mean thickness of the hairs is 15.1 µm, with border values of 10.9 µm for hair number 1 and of 22.2 µm for hair number 3 ; so, they are extremely thin. Napoléon' hairs are thin [5]. The hairs studied here, located in the inter-eyebrowed region of the mask, can be eyebrows ; we know that, in men, eyebrows are thinner (except for white eyebrows, which are thicker) than hairs.…”

“…When the correct age of death is loaded on the program, the reconstructed face is more similar to the mask facial appearance; all its other main characteristics can also be found : asymmetry(that proves that the mask was moulded from a face), gender (male, but with a little feminine component) and ethnicity (a European origin). The reconstructed face at 51 years old shows blue eyes and a pale skin [5].…”