Which brother of Napoleon commanded a division at the Battle of Waterloo?

Jérôme Bonaparte, Napoleon’s youngest brother, commanded a division at the Battle of Waterloo. In 1815 he led the 6th Infantry Division within General Reille’s II Corps on the French left.

Jérôme’s division was involved in the initial attack on Hougoumont, a fortified farmstead on Wellington’s right. Napoleon intended the assault partly as a diversion, hoping it would draw Allied troops away from the centre. Instead, the fighting around the farm became a prolonged and costly struggle that absorbed increasing numbers of French soldiers.

The action at Hougoumont is one reason Jérôme’s name is strongly associated with Waterloo. The French failed to capture the position, while the defenders held the buildings, gardens and walls through repeated attacks. Jérôme was a divisional commander rather than the overall commander of the French army; that role belonged to Napoleon, with Marshal Ney directing major operations on the battlefield.

Jérôme had previously been King of Westphalia from 1807 to 1813. His royal status and family connection helped explain his prominence, although his military record was much less distinguished than Napoleon’s.