Case study: Andre Massena
Private soldier to Marshal of France
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andr%C3%A9_Mass%C3%A9na
Not only was he poor. Like Napoleon himself, he was Italian, not French.
Private soldier to Marshal of France
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andr%C3%A9_Mass%C3%A9na
Quote:André Masséna (born Andrea Massena) 1st Duc de Rivoli, 1st Prince d'Essling (May 6, 1758 – April 4, 1817) was a French military commander during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.[1]
Masséna was one of the original eighteen Marshals of the Empire created by Napoleon. His nickname was l'Enfant chéri de la Victoire ("the Dear Child of Victory").[2]
Many of Napoleon's generals were trained at the finest French and European military academies, but Masséna was among those who achieved greatness without benefit of formal education. This, however, does not imply that he was poorly educated in the art of war or lacked administrative abilities. While those of noble rank acquired their education and promotions as a matter of privilege, Masséna rose from humble origins to such prominence that Napoleon referred to him as "the greatest name of my military Empire."
Not only was he poor. Like Napoleon himself, he was Italian, not French.
