The Bonaparte Dynasty is the ruling family of the French Empire, which started with Napoleon I and continues to modern day, with Emperor Maurice Bonaparte. Over the past two hundred years, this family has included the tragically misunderstood (Napoleon II), the universally hated (Albert I), symbols of modern achievement (Emperor Philippe), the struggle of women (Charlotte, Josephine, Vivianne) and the difficult to categorize (Sebastien). Oft-maligned and oft-championed, few dynastic families have had such a profound impact on the shaping of the world. As the French author Seymour Arens once wrote, "When a Bonaparte coughs, the whole world hears."