#Emilie Kraus von Wolfsberg

[empirearchives]

German language article about the life of one of Napoleon’s widely believed to be illegitimate children, Eugen Megerle von Mühlfeld.

This article from the Federal Ministry of the Interior (Bundesministerium für Inneres) of Austria was written to commemorate to 200 year anniversary of the birth of Mühlfeld. He was a lawyer and professor, and he was also a progressive politician who worked in the Austrian government during the 19th century.

Some interesting fun facts from the article: He was actually born only one day before one of Napoleon’s other sons, Alexandre Walewski!! Mühlfeld’s mother was a woman who was born in modern day Slovenia named Emilie Kraus von Wolfsberg. She was called the Dog Countess, which it literally says on her plaque at the place she is buried. She was called this because she spent all her money on animals, which caused her to become destitute. She ended up giving her son over to be adopted. So that’s how he ended up being raised by the Mühlfeld’s, and it seems like he had a pretty good life! At least I hope he did!

Interestingly, people who had met Napoleon actually recognized Mühlfeld’s resemblance to him, and rumors spread in Vienna that he was Napoleon’s illegitimate son. The rumor spread all the way to Paris, and the French Prime Minister traveled to Vienna because he wanted to meet Napoleon’s son. I wonder if he knew Napoleon had other sons in France lol

More about his career: The article says he was one of the best and most highly respected lawyers in Austria. As a politician, he was progressive and was noted for advocating for the separation of church and state, reestablishment of the jury, and abolishing the death penalty. He was also the dean of the law faculty at the University of Vienna. He was the founder of the bar association, and was its first president. In 1842, he was the co-creator of something called “Juridisch-politischen Le-severeins" which was a reading association and platform for progressive-minded intellectuals and was very influential during the 1848 Revolution. The year he died, 1868, laws were passed on his initiative which allowed people to choose their own religion when they turned 14.

He was described by Dr. Ignaz Kuranda like this: “Im Leben kein Pedant, im Lieben Feuerbrand, im Denken ein Gigant, im Reden ein Foliant!" which roughly and loosely translates to “In life no pedant, in love firebrand, in thinking a giant, in speaking a tome!”

Just to note: It’s never been 100% confirmed that he was definitely Napoleon’s son, but his natural mother was said to be Napoleon’s mistress. They met in 1805, and during the time they were together, she allegedly disguised herself as a boy. Their affair is also commemorated on the plaque at her gravesite. Here is a painting Napoleon commissioned of her (by Johann Baptist von Lampi):

Link to the article:

Additionally, here is a link to his Wikipedia page, which is also in German:

https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugen_Megerle_von_Mühlfeld

[captainknell]

I don't think I've ever heard of this alleged son, so I looked him up and just-

I see why they think he's Napoleon's son. If drawings are to be trusted anyways. But that face 😯

Emilie Kraus von Wolfsberg

She was one of Napoleon’s mistresses. They allegedly had a son, Eugen Megerle von Mühlfeld.

[empirearchives]

Emilie Kraus von Wolfsberg

She was one of Napoleon’s mistresses. They allegedly had a son, Eugen Megerle von Mühlfeld.