Wellington and Napoleon

Everyone has heard about Napoleon and Wellington; their military exploits, and in he case of Napoleon, his political and legal impact on France and on Europe. Much less is normally known about their personalities, which were remarkable - two outsiders, neither of whom would be considered typical military material nowadays. With lives that straddled the cleavage between Enlightenment and Romanticism, both had to adapt to a fast changing European culture, in their public and private lives. Both were from outside the core of their respective countries, both were from minor and impecunious gentry, both reached the military and political top in their countries; they met in battle only once, and never in person. Two fascinating characters, more unconventional than one would expect from conventional military environments.