Maximilien Robespierre

**Maximilien François Marie Isidore de Robespierre** (/ˈroʊbzpjɛər/; French: [maksimiljɛ̃ ʁɔbɛspjɛʁ]; 6 May 1758&nbsp;– 28 July 1794) na he be a French lawyer den statesman, dem widely recognise as one of de most influential den controversial figures of de French Revolution. Na Robespierre fervently campaign for de voting rights of all men den dema unimpeded admission to de National Guard. Additionally, na he advocate de right to petition, de right to bear arms in self-defence, den de abolition of de Atlantic slave trade.

A radical Jacobin leader, na dem elect Robespierre as a deputy to de National Convention insyd September 1792, den insyd July 1793, na dem appoint am a member of de Committee of Public Safety. Na Robespierre face growing disillusionment secof in part to de politically motivated violence dem associate plus am. Increasingly, na members of de Convention turn against am, wey na accusations cam to a head on 9 Thermidor. Na dem arrest Robespierre den plus around 90 odas, na dem execute am widout trial.

A figure deeply divisive during ein lifetime, na Robespierre views den policies continue to evoke controversy. Na ein legacy be heavily influenced by ein actual anaa perceived participation insyd repression of de Revolution ein opponents, buh he be notable for ein progressive views for de time. Academic den popular discourse continues dey engage insyd debates wey dey surround ein legacy den reputation, particularly ein ideas of virtue in regards to de revolution den ein violence.

## Early life

Na dem baptise Maximilien de Robespierre on 6 May 1758 insyd Arras, Artois.Na ein poppie, François Maximilien Barthélémy de Robespierre, a lawyer, marry Jacqueline Marguerite Carrault, de daughter of a brewer, insyd January 1758. Na dem born Maximilien, de eldest of four kiddies, four months later. Na ein siblings be Charlotte Robespierre, Henriette Robespierre, den Augustin Robespierre.

Na Robespierre ein mommie die on 16 July 1764, after she deliver a stillborn son at age 29. Na Charlotte ein memoirs indicate dat na she believe say de death of dema mommie get a major effect on ein bro. About three years after de death of ein wifey, na dema poppie lef de kiddies insyd Arras.Na Maximilien den ein bro be raised by dema maternal grandparents wey na ein sistos be raised by dema unmarried paternal aunts.

Na he dey demonstrate literacy at an early age, Maximilien commence ein education at de Arras College wen na he be eight per. Insyd October 1769, recommended by de bishop Louis-Hilaire de Conzié, na he secure a scholarship at de prestigious Collège Louis-le-Grand insyd Paris. Na among ein peers be Camille Desmoulins den Stanislas Fréron. During ein schooling, na he develop a profound admiration for de Roman Republic den de rhetoric skills of Cicero, Cato den Lucius Junius Brutus. Insyd 1776 na he earn de first prize for rhetoric.

Na ein appreciation for de classics inspire am to aspire to Roman virtues, particularly de embodiment of Rousseau ein citizen-soldier.Na Robespierre be drawn to de concepts of de influential *philosophe* wey dey regard political reforms dem expound insyd ein work, *The Social Contract*. Dey align plus Rousseau, na he consider de  general will of de people as de foundation of political legitimacy. Na Robespierre ein vision of revolutionary virtue den ein strategy for establishing political authority thru direct democracy fu be traced back to de ideologies of Montesquieu den Mably.While na sam claim Robespierre coincidentally meet Rousseau before de latter ein passing, odas argue dat na dis account be apocryphal.

## Formative years, 1780–1789

During ein three-year study of law at de Sorbonne, na Robespierre distinguish einself academically, wey dey culminate insyd ein graduation insyd July 1780, wer na he receive a special prize of 600  for ein exceptional academic achievements den exemplary conduct. Na dem admit am to de bar, na dem appoint am as one of de five judges insyd de local criminal court insyd March 1782. However, na Robespierre soon resign, secof ein ethical discomfort in adjudicating capital cases, wey dey stem from ein opposition to de death penalty.

Na dem elect Robespierre to de literary Academy of Arras insyd November 1783.Na de following year, na de Academy of Metz honour am plus a medal for ein essay wey dey ponder collective punishment, thus dey establish am as a literary figure. (Na Pierre Louis de Lacretelle den Robespierre share de prize.)

Insyd 1786 na Robespierre passionately address inequality before de law, wey dey criticise de indignities wey be faced by illegitimate anaa natural kiddies, den later dey denounce practices like *lettres de cachet* (imprisonment widout a trial) den de marginalisation of women insyd academic circles. Na Robespierre ein social circle expand to include influential figures such as de lawyer Martial Herman, de officer den engineer Lazare Carnot den de teacher Joseph Fouché, all of whom go hold significance insyd ein later endeavours.Na ein role as de secretary of de Academy of Arras connect am plus François-Noël Babeuf, a revolutionary land surveyor insyd de region.

Insyd August 1788, ma King Louis XVI summon de Estates-General make dem convene on 1 May 1789. Na Robespierre advocate insyd ein *Address to the Nation of Artois* wey dey follow de customary mode of election by de members of de provincial estates go fail to adequately represent de people of France insyd de new Estates-General. Insyd ein electoral district, Arras, na Robespierre begin dey assert ein influence insyd politics thru ein *Notice to the Residents of the Countryside* insyd 1789, wey dey target local authorities den dey garner de support of rural electors.On 26 April 1789, na Robespierre secure ein place as one of 16 deputies wey dey represent French Flanders insyd de Estates-General.

## 1789

On 6 June, na Robespierre deliver ein maiden speech insyd de Estates General, wey dey target de hierarchical structure of de church.Na ein impassioned oratory prompt observers make dem comment, "Dis young man be as yet inexperienced; unaware of wen to cease, buh dey possess an eloquence wey dey set am apart from de rest." By 13 June, na Robespierre align plus deputies, wey later proclaim demaselves de National Assembly, wey dey assert representation for 96% of de nation. On 9 July, na de Assembly relocate to Paris wey dem begin dey deliberate a new constitution den taxation system. On 13 July, na de National Assembly propose dem dey reinstate de "bourgeois militia" insyd Paris make dem quell de unrest. De day wey dey follow, na de populace demand weapons wey dem storm both de Hôtel des Invalides den de Bastille. Na de local militia transition into de National Guard, a move wey distance de most impoverished citizens from active involvement. During an altercation plus Lally-Tollendal wey advocate law den order, na Robespierre remind de citizens of dema "recent defense of liberty", wich paradoxically restrict dema access to am.

Insyd October, alongside Louvet, na Robespierre support Maillard dey follow de Women's March on Versailles. Dat same month, while na de Constituent Assembly deliberate on male census suffrage on 22 October, na Robespierre den a select few deputies oppose property requirements for voting den holding office. Thru December den January na Robespierre notably draw attention from marginalised groups, particularly Protestants, Jews, people of African descent, domestic servants, den actors. A frequent orator insyd de Assembly, na Robespierre champion de ideals insyd de Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen buh na ein views rarely garner majority support among fellow deputies. 

Despite ein commitment to democratic principles, na Robespierre no adopt de change of dress wey be influenced by de Revolution; instead na he persistently don knee-breeches wey na he retain a meticulously groomed appearance plus powdered, curled, den perfumed wig dem tie insyd a queue in line plus de old-fashioned style of de 18th century. Na sam accounts describe am as "nervous, timid, den suspicious".
## 1790

During de continuing debate on suffrage, na Robespierre end ein speech of 25 January 1790 plus a demand dat "all Frenchmen for be admissible to all public positions widout any oda distinction dan dat of virtues den talents". On 31 March 1790 na dem elect am as presido of de Jacobin Club. Na Robespierre support de cooperation of all de National Guards insyd a general federation on 11 May. On 19 June na dem elect am secretary of de National Assembly. Insyd na July Robespierre demand "fraternal equality" insyd salaries. Before de end of de year, na dem see am as one of de leaders of de small body of de extreme left of de Assembly, dem know as "de thirty voices".

On 5 December na Robespierre deliver anoda speech on de National Guard. "To be armed for personal defence be de right of every man, to be armed to defend freedom den de existence of de common fatherland be de right of every citizen". Na Robespierre sanso coin de famous motto  by adding de word fraternity on de flags of de National Guard.

## 1791

Insyd 1791, na Robespierre give 328 speeches, almost one a day. On 28 January, insyd de Assembly, na he speak on de organisation of de National Guard. On 27 den 28 April, na Robespierre oppose plans to reorganise am den to restrict ein membership to active citizens. Na he demand dat e go be reconstituted on a democratic basis, plus an end to military decorations den an equal number of officers den soldiers insyd courts martial. Na he argue say de National Guard for cam turn de instrument of defending liberty rada dan a threat to am.

Insyd de same month na Robespierre publish a pamphlet insyd wich na he argue de case for universal manhood suffrage. On 15 May, na de Constituent Assembly declare full den equal citizenship for all free people of colour. Insyd de debate na Robespierre say: "I feel say I dey hie make I defend de rights of men; I no fi consent to any amendment wey I dey biz say make dem adopt de principle be insyd ein entirety." Na he descend from de rostrum insyd de middle of de repeated applause of de left den of all de galleries.

On 16–18 May wen na de elections begin, na Robespierre propose den carry de motion dat no deputy wey tap insyd de Constituent assembly fi sit insyd de succeeding Legislative assembly.Na a tactical purpose of dis self-denying ordinance be make e block de ambitions of de old leaders of de Jacobins, Antoine Barnave, Adrien Duport, den Alexandre de Lameth, wey dem aspire to create a constitutional monarchy roughly similar to dat of England.On 28 May, na Robespierre propose all Frenchmen for be declared active citizens den eligible to vote. On 30 May, na he deliver a speech on abolishing de death penalty, wich na de Assembly no support.

On 10 June, na Robespierre deliver a speech on de state of de police wey he propose to dismiss officers. On 11 June 1791 na dem elect anaa nominate am as (substitute) public prosecutor insyd de criminal tribunal wey dey prepare indictments. On 15 June, na Pétion de Villeneuve cam be presido of de "tribunal criminel provisoire", after na Duport refuse to work plus Robespierre.

## Abolition of slavery
Na Robespierre ein stance on abolition dey exhibit certain contradictions, wey dey prompt doubts about ein intentions regarding slavery.

## Portrayals
Na over 300 actors portray Robespierre, insyd both French den English. Prominent examples dey include:

* Sidney Herbert insyd *Orphans of the Storm* (1921)
* Werner Krauss insyd *Danton* (1921)
* Edmond Van Daële insyd *Napoléon* (1927)
* George Hackathorne insyd *Captain of the Guard* (1930)
* Ernest Milton insyd *The Scarlet Pimpernel* (1934)
* Henry Oscar insyd *The Return of the Scarlet Pimpernel* (1937)
* Leonard Penn insyd *Marie Antoinette* (1938)
* Richard Basehart insyd *Reign of Terror* (1949)
* Keith Anderson insyd de Doctor Who episode, *The Reign of Terror* (1964)
* Peter Gilmore as a character dem referred to only as "Citizen Robespierre" insyd *Don't Lose Your Head*, a Carry On spoof of *The Scarlet Pimpernel* (1967)
* Christopher Ellison insyd *Lady Oscar* (1979)
* Richard Morant insyd *The Scarlet Pimpernel* (1982)
* Wojciech Pszoniak insyd *Danton* (1983)
* Andrzej Seweryn insyd *La Révolution française* (1989)
* Ronan Vibert insyd *The Scarlet Pimpernel* (1999–2000)
* Guillaume Aretos insyd *Mr. Peabody & Sherman* (2014)
* Nicolas Vaude insyd *The Visitors: Bastille Day* (2016)
* Louis Garrel insyd *One Nation, One King* (2018)
* Sam Troughton insyd *Napoleon* (2023)

## Bibliography
* 1785 – ''Discours couronné par la Société royale des arts et des sciences de Metz, sur les questions suivantes, proposeés pour sujet du prix de l'année 1784''
* 1791 – ''Adresse de Maximilien Robespierre aux Français''
* 1792–1793 – ''Lettres de Maximilien Robespierre, membre de la Convention nationale de France, à ses commettans''
* 1794 – ''Lettre de Robespierre, au général Pichegru. Paris le 3 Thermidor, (21 Juillet) l'an 2 de la République Françoise = Brief van Robespierre, aan den generaal Pichegru. Parys, den 3 Thermidor, (21 July) het 2de jaar der Fransche Republiek''
* 1828 – ''Papiers inédits trouvés chez Robespierre, Saint–Just, Payan ...: supprimés ou omis par Courtois: précédés du Rapport de ce député à la Convention Nationale''. Tome premier; Tome second; Tome troisième

* 1830 – ''Mémoires authentiques de Maximilien de Robespierre, ornés de son portrait, et de facsimile de son écriture extraits de ses mémoirs''. Tome premier; Tome deuxième
* 1912–2022 – *Œuvres complètes de Maximilien Robespierre*, 10 volumes, Société des études robespierristes, 1912–1967. Réimpression Société des études robespierristes, Phénix Éditions, 2000, 10 volumes. Réédition avec une nouvelle introduction de Claude Mazauric, Édition du Centenaire de la Société des études robespierristes, Éditions du Miraval, Enghien-les-Bains, 2007, 10 volumes et 1 volume de Compléments. Un onzième volume, paru en 2007, regroupe les textes omis lors de l'édition initiale.

## References

## Sources
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*  A collection of essays covering not only Robespierre's thoughts and deeds, but also the way he has been portrayed by historians and fictional writers alike.
**  by Hilary Mantel in the *London Review of Books*, Vol. 22, No. 7, p.&nbsp;30 March 2000.
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* *Œuvres complètes de Maximilien Robespierre*, 10 volumes, Société des études robespierristes, 1912–1967. Réimpression Société des études robespierristes, Phénix Éditions, 2000, 10 volumes. Réédition avec une nouvelle introduction de Claude Mazauric, Édition du Centenaire de la Société des études robespierristes, Éditions du Miraval, Enghien-les-Bains, 2007, 10 volumes et 1 volume de Compléments. Un onzième volume, paru en 2007, regroupe les textes omis lors de l'édition initiale.
** Tome 5: *Les journaux: « Lettres de Maximilien Robespierre, membre de la Convention nationale, à ses commettans » (1792–1793)*, édition critique préparée par Gustave Laurent, Paris, 1961, 384.

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*  A political portrait of Robespierre, examining his changing image among historians and the different aspects of Robespierre as an 'ideologue', as a political democrat, as a social democrat, as a practitioner of revolution, as a politician and as a popular leader/leader of revolution.

* Sanson, Henri (1876). Memoirs of the Sansons: From Private Notes and Documents (1688–1847). Chatto and Windus. 
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## External links

* Works by or about Maximilien Robespierre at the Internet Archive
* An Introduction to the French Revolution and a Brief History of France (34 videos)
* The Thermidorian Reaction (Part 1/2)
* 25. The Armies of the Revolution and Dumoriez's Betrayal
* La Révolution française (film) by Richard T. Heffron (1989 dramatisation reflecting the official narrative of the Bicentenary commemorations: The French Revolution – Part 2 – English subtitles