Seventh INS Congress in Montreal Attracts Scholars from
Around the World

The Seventh International Napoleonic Congress was held at the Museum of Fine Arts in the beautiful city of Montréal, Canada, June 8–12, 2009. This was the first time an INS Congress was held in North America, a fact that encouraged an increase in participation from Canadians. Scholars and students from Canada, the US, France, the Czech Republic and the Republic of Georgia presented papers and a paper from a Greek scholar was also read.

The presentation of scholarly papers is the heart of any academic congress, but close behind is the chance to socialize with people from around the world to share ideas and simply enjoy the company of those who share your interest. To that end, the first function of the Congress was for many of the participants to share drinks and a meal at the restaurant Garçon on Sunday evening.

On Monday, 8 June, the program began with an opening ceremony. We were escorted by members of the 3rd regiment of Infantery de Ligne, an expert group of Canadian Empire re-enactors who joined us for the week and added a great deal of excitement to the Congress. INS President David Markham welcomed the guests to the Congress and then presented Huguette Weider, Ben Weider’s widow, Ben’s posthumous Legion of Merit, the INS’ highest award, ‘For his many years of service to the Emperor.’ That ceremony was followed by welcoming remarks by Danielle Champagne, Director of Communications for the museum, Marcel Parent, President of the Montreal City Council, Senator Serge Joyal, a close friend of the Weiders, and Mark Billings, a member of the board of directors for the Souvenir Napoléon. Huguette Weider closed the ceremony with an eloquent and emotional welcome in French, English and Spanish.

The opening ceremony completed, Ivane Menteshashvili of the Republic of Georgia opened the first session, which included presentations from Benoît Roger (France), John Stanley (Canada) and David Stefancic (USA) speaking on various aspects of Poland during the Napoleonic period. The second session was opened by John Stanley, and featured an eclectic group of speakers from France, Canada and the USA. Of special interest was Canadian Chris Franke’s presentation on researching a specific Napoleonic officer: his presentation was given in full-dress uniform! Sean Richarz (USA), who is composing a Napoleonic musical, gave some fascinating insight into just how one goes about doing that. Peter Friedman also gave his enthusiastic lecture on Marie Walewska in full period uniform.

On Monday evening, the museum hosted a welcoming cocktail reception in their beautiful Hall of Mirrors, a room with a distinct Empire touch! It was a most memorable evening. To begin, his Excellency the Honorable François Delattre, Ambassador of France to Canada, presented INS President David Markham with the Médaille d’or du Rayonnement Culturel (Gold Medal for Cultural Radiance) ‘in the name of France.’ Recipients of this important French medal are determined by La Renaissance française, an international French cultural organization with the high patronage of the French President and the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, Defense and National Education. The medal recognized Markham’s almost quarter of a century promoting French culture and history.

President Markham then awarded INS Eagles to a number of new Fellows in recognition of their special contributions to Napoleonic history. They were: Count Alexandre de Bothuri Bàthory; William Nester; Edna Mueller; Joan Blythe; Tara Luke; Peter Friedman; David Stefancic; Benoît Roger; and Maureen MacLeod.

The evening concluded with an outstanding performance by Sean Richarz, Mo Mershon and Craig Schell, who sang selections from Richarz’ musical on Napoleon’s 100 Days. That musical will debut in July 2010 in Seattle.

After the program was over, many of the participants adjourned to Les Pois Penché, one of Montreal’s finest French restaurants.

Tuesday was a day full of excellent presentations from Canadian and American scholars, as well as a paper presented en abstentia by Greek scholar Thomas Zacharis, and–an INS first!–an interview over Skype with Count François de Candé-Montholon of France. That use of technology foreshadowed later papers on technology. Among the more unique presentations were distinguished American Susan Conner’s paper on women in Napoleon’s armies, and INS Assistant to the President Rowayda Guirguis’ talk on the aftermath of Napoleon’s stay in Egypt.

After a long day, where better to go to the old city? Many participants took in the sound and light show at the Basilica Notre Dame and then spent a festive evening with friends in the best-named restaurant in Montreal: Bonapartes!

The Congress was held in Montreal largely to showcase Ben Weider’s donation of a major part of his impressive Napoleon collection to the Museum of Fine Arts. Wednesday’s program focused on Empire style and, of course, Ben’s impressive legacy. The first three speakers dealt with various aspects of the topic. American Ike Hay, a well-known art history scholar and artist in his own right, discussed the politics of the Empire style, while Marian Hochel of the Czech Republic looked at propaganda and cult issues. Count Alexandre de Bothuri Bàthory of the USA discussed a specific service of Archchancellor Cambacérès, numerous pieces of which he generously displayed throughout the Congress.

After the break we heard an excellent paper on French women and religion from FSU student Maureen MacLeod, and an outstanding paper on the often-ignored question of Napoleonic diplomacy from American William Nester. Then President Markham introduced Dr. John Fournier of Chicago, who gave a memorial lecture to Ben Weider that outlined his significant contributions to our understanding of the truth about how Napoleon died. It was a moving moment, followed that afternoon by a tour of the Weider Collection. Huguette Weider shared many stories of how she and Ben had acquired this piece or that; stories really did make the collection come alive.

The tour over, the INS and Orex Explorations (Mark Billings, president) hosted a cocktail reception in honor of Ben Weider at the museum. Fine wine and hors d’oeuvres combined for a wonderful evening.

Thursday’s single session first focused on the impact of Napoleon in North America. Canadian John Donaldson told the fascinating connection between Napoleon and the explorer Sir Alexander Mackenzie; David Markham’s talk American Empire told the story of the Louisiana Purchase; and FSU student Tara Luke looked at the opinion of Napoleon promoted by New England preachers of the time.

The session then turned to an area seldom–if ever–given much consideration at a history conference. American Nathan Jensen looked at the creation of graphic representations to reflect the reality of military campaigns using various mapping technologies. Then Canadian Edna Mueller showed amazing ways to use Google Earth to put yourself in exactly the spot of a commander and see exactly what he could see. Both presentations made it clear that historical research was moving into new and exciting areas.

After an afternoon devoted to sightseeing, shopping or resting, the Congress reconvened at Trinity Estiatorio Restaurant for a cocktail reception and farewell gala dinner hosted by the INS. This excellent Greek restaurant gave a fitting international flavor to this international congress. President Markham awarded a well-deserved Eagle to Rowayda Guirguis.

Few people have had more impact on literature and culture than Napoleon, and Friday’s session was devoted to that relationship. Two of the INS’ top scholars in that area, Americans Joan Blythe and John Clubbe wove interesting tales of Napoleon and Cromwell in Chateaubriand and Húgo, and of Napoleon and Beethoven, respectively. Finally, Ivane Menteshashvili of Georgia, who opened the Congress as chair of the first session, closed the congress by giving well-researched paper on Napoleon and Byron.

By all accounts, this Congress was a great success. But these things do not just happen! We would like to thank His Excellency Ambassador Delattre, the city of Montreal, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Weider family, Senator Serge Joyal, and Mark Billings for all that they did to make the Congress the success that it was. And, of course, very special thanks go to two women who were essential to everything: the assistant to the President, Rowayda Guirguis, and the wife of the President, Barbara Markham.