Maximilien Robespierre

Birth: Arras, France, May 6th, 1758
Death: Paris, France, July 28th, 1794
Vocation: lawyer, revolutionary, politician
Accomplishment: leading figure in the development of a French republic, Reign of Terror
Alliance: Jacobin Party, French republic

Maximilien Robespierre was born in Arras, France on May 6th, 1758. His father and grandfather, both also named Maximilien, were lawyers. His mother, Jacqueline Marguerite Carrault, was the daughter of a brewer. His mother died in 1764 during childbirth and soon after that his father left the family, leaving the children to be raised by their grandparents. He was educated in Arres and later in Paris. He became very influenced by authors like Cicero and also more contemporary thinkers like Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

In his early career Robespierre worked as a judge and lawyer and also authored many articles on various things, including the electoral process. He showed himself to be a reform minded idealist that valued life, an irony considering what was to come. 		 
When the king announced new elections so that the Estates General could meet in 1789, Robespierre ran and became a member of the Third Estate. He then became part of the National Assembly after its establishment as a replacement for the Estates General. The National Assembly transformed into the Constituent Assembly. Robespierre started to develop a following among the people. He also joined a group that was transforming into a left-wing organization called the Jacobin Club. The Constituent Assembly dissolved itself and allowed for the creation of the Legislative Assembly. Because of Robespierre's suggestion no one from the Constituent Assembly was able to be on the new Legislative Assembly and new elections were held.

After this he took a position as a public prosecutor but he resigned in April 1792, partially in protest over the war with Austria. In September 1792, he was elected to the National Convention which was now in control and had eliminated royalty from the government and even tried to create a new calendar. There was a war and many factions struggling for power. Robespierre was also associated with a group called the "Mountain." With the support of Robespierre, the king was tried and put to death. Then members of the Commune of Paris arrested many of the political opponents of Robespierre.

With the nobles dead, imprisoned, or having left the country; a war, a revolution, and a counter-revolution raging; food production and commerce in complete ruins; the country needed stability. Robespierre was one of those put in charge of the Committee of Public Safety, basically this made them the rulers of France by default. The terror was supposed to restore that stability. Members of certain political groups were arrested, tried and beheaded at the guillotine. People that complained or offered opinions about nearly anything were in danger of execution. Even people that seemed loyal to the revolution could be found to not be committed enough.

The smallest accusation might result in death by the "national razor" as the guillotine was called. It got to the point that a person could be convicted without a witness. Robespierre was a believer that these murders in this many numbers was good. He even turned on friends and allies leading to their executions. He tried to establish a new religion and on July 26th began accusing members of the Convention of being involved in conspiracy against the republic. He was challenged on this and arrested. Commune troops freed him but were confronted by troops loyal to the Convention. In the night, Commune members deserted until only Robespierre, his brother and a few supporters were left. As the troops closed in Robespierre tried to shoot himself but only shattered his jaw. He was bandaged imprisoned and the next day was taken to the national razor. He was guillotined face-up. When the bandages were removed his jaw popped out of place resulting in his screaming until the blade came down and killed him.