The project compiled a comprehensive corpus of 800 administrative job application letters and gathered prosopographical data on their 330 authors who were both French and Italian. This corpus was processed through text-mining techniques, yielding statistical data on word frequency, distinctiveness, co-occurrences, and the use of thematic vocabulary. Additionally, correspondence analysis applied to the applicants’ biographical information allowed to identify distinct profiles. Using various text-mining tools, custom vocabularies were developed to evaluate the presence of terms related to different topics, including family needs, family services, misfortunes and sufferings, knowledge and skills, and personal qualities. A key finding was that French applicants exhibited a notable overuse of vocabulary related to family services. However, there was no significant difference between French and Italian candidates in their use of rhetoric concerning family needs. Correspondence analysis revealed distinctive profiles among candidates willing and unwilling to relocate. Those reluctant to relocate exhibited the features of local notables, being typically middle-aged, affluent men holding municipal positions. Conversely, those open to relocation presented a more diverse profile, reflecting a certain degree of internalisation of new principles. Candidates explicitly seeking career advancement often applied for positions outside their own department, aligning with governmental choices. Qualitative analysis of sources preserved in the State Archives of Milan and Naples enriched the understanding of the situation in the Italian peninsula, highlighting similarities and differences with the Imperial context. Furthermore, an in-depth analysis of select case studies from the Empire and the Italian Satellite Kingdoms uncovered the political motivations behind officials' dismissals and failed re-employment applications. Government decisions were driven by the need to secure local elite support and maintain public order while enforcing conscription and taxation. Consequently, a positive relationship with the local populace was crucial. When this relationship was compromised – due to accusations of misconduct or local disputes – officials were often dismissed and their re-employment applications denied. Overall, the qualitative analysis added significant nuance to the quantitative findings, highlighting the political motivations that were crucial in recruitment and dismissal procedures. This integrated approach has provided a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamics shaping the relationship between rulers and the ruled in Napoleonic Europe.
The project has been disseminated through two journal articles, three forthcoming book chapters, and two forthcoming books (to be published by the end of 2025). The researcher enhanced the project's visibility by organising one workshop and a final conference and participating in approximately 20 events across the U.S. and Europe. Additionally, public engagement was supported through various events and social media promotions.
