Maximilien de Robespierre | Notable Biographies

(1758/05/06 - 1794/07/28)

Maximilien de Robespierre
Maximilien François Marie Isidore de Robespierre
Lawyer and French politician

He was born 6 may 1758 in Arras (France).
Son of a lawyer who abandoned the family to go to America, was orphaned from mother at age nine.
Protected by the Bishop of his city, he was able to study through scholarships at the College Luis large of Paris and at the Law school. After graduating in law in Paris, in 1781 he returned to Arras and unveiled in enlightened circles.
He became a staunch defender of the social theories of French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau. It is a Member of the States-General were convened in may 1789, shortly before the outbreak of the French Revolution, and later served in the National Constituent Assembly, where he stood by his brilliant oratory. In April of 1790 was President of the Jacobin club and gained popularity as enemy of the monarchy , and defender of the democratic reforms.
When the monarchy was abolished it in August 1792, was elected Deputy of the National Convention for Paris. Member of the Group of the mountain, called for the execution of King Louis XVI. In may 1793, and with the support of the people of Paris, got the girondist were expelled. In the month of July, he joined the Committee of public safety and did not hesitate to take control of the Government in the absence of opposition.
Seconded by the Committee, proceeded to kill all those people considered to be enemies of the revolution, both as moderate extremists, in order to restore order and reduce the risk of a foreign invasion. This policy created the so-called Reign of Terror and caused that in March and April 1794 the revolutionary leaders were executed Georges Jacques Dantonand Jacques Hébert . In may, the National Convention, pressured by Robespierre, proclaimed the cult to the Supreme being - the Deism of Rousseau-as official religion-based. This Decree is rejected by the Catholics and atheists , but the French leader still had the support of Sans-Culottes (lower classes) of Paris and was elected President of the National Convention in June.
On July 27, 1794 was forbidden to go to the National Convention. A body of soldiers opposed to its policies takes the Paris City Hall, where he was next to one of his followers. He was wounded in the jaw in uncertain circumstances and was placed under arrest.
July 28 Robespierre spent by the guillotine in Paris together with his closest collaborators, Louis Saint-just , Georges Couthon , and nineteen of his followers.