Maximilien de Robespierre

Maximilien de Robespierre - Influential Figure of the French Revolution, Facts and Personal Life

Violet FieldHome › FrenchMaximilien de RobespierreMay 6, 1758728 views

0 based on 0 rates
Maximilien de Robespierre Biography Stories 

Maximilien de Robespierre's Personal Details

Maximilien Robespierre was a French lawyer who became one of the most influential figures of the French Revolution

InformationDetail
BirthdayMay 6, 1758
Died onJuly 28, 1794
NationalityFrench
FamousLawyers & Judges, Political Leaders, Influential Figure of the French Revolution
SiblingsAugustin Robespierre
Universities
  • 1781 - Lycée Louis-le-Grand
Cause of death
  • Execution
Birth PlaceArras
Political Ideology(1789–1794) - Political party Jacobin Club, Other political affiliations - (1792–1794) - The Mountain
ReligionDeism
GenderMale
FatherMaximilien Barthélémy François de Robespierre
MotherJacqueline Marguerite Carrault
Sun SignTaurus
Born inArras
Famous asInfluential Figure of the French Revolution
Died at Age36

Maximilien de Robespierre's photo

Who is Maximilien de Robespierre?

Maximilien Robespierre was a French lawyer who became one of the most influential figures of the French Revolution. A major political figure in 18th century France, he served as a member of the Committee of Public Safety which he dominated in the latter months of 1793. He is accused of being one of the principal architects of the ‘Reign of Terror’, a period of large-scale violence during the onset of the French Revolution, marked by mass executions of “enemies of the revolution". Born as the son of a lawyer, Robespierre went on to become a lawyer himself. As a young man he was greatly influenced by the writings of social philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau and developed strong moral values. He was against the death penalty and advocated the abolition of slavery. He entered into politics and over a period of time became the president of the powerful Jacobin political faction. He was opposed to monarchy and played a pivotal role in the uprising against King Louis XVI in August 1792 following which monarchy was abolished and France was made a republic. Robespierre was a revolutionary at heart, and even though he was once opposed to death penalty, he ruthlessly began eliminating those whom he considered to be the enemies of revolution. He became increasingly unpopular because of his autocracy and was arrested and executed in July 1794.

// Famous Lawyers & Judges

Sunny Hostin

Sunny Hostin

Sunny Hostin is an American lawyer, social commentator, columnist and journalist. Check out this biography to know about her childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.

Thomas Girardi

Thomas Girardi

Thomas Girardi is an American attorney who co-founded the law firm, Girardi & Keese. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.

Jerry Sheindlin

Jerry Sheindlin

Jerry Sheindlin is an American judge, author, and television personality. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.

Childhood & Early Life

Maximilien Marie Isidore de Robespierre was born in Arras on 6 May 1758. His father, François Maximilien Barthélémy de Robespierre, was a lawyer at the Conseil d'Artois, and his mother Jacqueline Marguerite Carrault, was the daughter of a brewer. Maximilien was the eldest of the couple’s four children.

He lost his mother when he was just six years old. Unable to cope with the loss of his wife, his father abandoned the children who were then brought up by their paternal aunts Eulalie and Henriette de Robespierre.

At the age of eight, Maximilien went to the collège (middle school) of Arras. The bishop then recommended him to a scholarship to the Lycée Louis-le-Grand in Paris in 1769. There he was trained to be a lawyer and graduated at the age of 23.

As a student, he became greatly influenced by the thoughts of the philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau and adopted many of his principles. He also admired the rhetoric of Cicero, Cato and other classic figures.

Later Life

He was admitted to the Arras bar after the completion of his legal studies, and he was appointed the criminal judge in the Diocese of Arras in March 1782. As a young man he was opposed to the death penalty and thus faced difficulty in ruling on capital cases. Eventually he resigned.

With time he became a successful advocate and often campaigned for the ideals of the Enlightenment and argued for the rights of man.

He ventured into politics and was elected fifth deputy of the Third Estate of Artois to the Estates-General. Soon he became very popular among the masses for his attacks on the French monarchy and his advocacy for democratic reforms.

He became the president of the powerful Jacobin political faction in April 1789. The following year he participated in writing the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, the foundation of the French constitution.

He was very active during the uprising against King Louis XVI in August 1792 following which the monarchy was abolished. At that time Robespierre was elected to head the Paris delegation to the new National Convention.

Under his leadership the Convention effectively ended monarchy and established France as a republic on 21 September 1792. The king was put on trial for treason and Robespierre argued for the king’s execution which was carried out in January 1793.

After the king’s execution, Robespierre’s influence increased manifold. However, France’s troubles also continued to increase and the need of a state government was felt. The Jacobins established a Revolutionary Tribunal in March 1793 and replaced the Committee of General Defense with the Committee of Public Safety, of which Robespierre was a member.

He quickly became a dominant force in the committee which launched the’ Reign of Terror’ in September 1793 to deal with the threat of foreign invasion and increasing disorder in the country. It was a period marked by extreme violence in which tens of thousands of "enemies of the revolution" were mass executed. Robespierre became a much hated figure following the killings.

The unprecedented violence unleashed during the Reign of Terror led to the Thermidorian Reaction, a coup d'état against the leaders of the Jacobin Club who had dominated the Committee of Public Safety. Robespierre was accused of being the soul of the terror, and was arrested along with several others who had played a major role in the Reign of Terror.

Major Work

Maximilien Robespierre is primarily remembered as the architect of the Reign of Terror, the period of bloodshed and violence that occurred at the onset of the French Revolution. Robespierre had several of the “enemies of the revolution” executed through his role on the Revolutionary Tribunal and the Committee of Public Safety, which made him highly unpopular and ultimately led to his downfall.

Personal Life & Legacy

Maximilien Robespierre remained a bachelor throughout his life.

Following the Thermidorian Reaction which was triggered by a vote of the National Convention to execute Maximilien Robespierre, he was arrested, declared an outlaw, and condemned without judicial process. He was executed on 28 July 1794 along with several of his close aides. His death ended the most radical phase of the French Revolution.

// Famous Political Leaders

Edi Rama

Edi Rama

Edi Rama is the current Prime Minister of Albania. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the current President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.

Leo Varadkar

Leo Varadkar

Cam Leo Varadkar is the current Taoiseach—the Prime Minister—of the Republic of Ireland. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and other facts about his life.

Maximilien de Robespierre biography timelines

  • // 6th May 1758
    Maximilien Marie Isidore de Robespierre was born in Arras on 6 May 1758. His father, François Maximilien Barthélémy de Robespierre, was a lawyer at the Conseil d'Artois, and his mother Jacqueline Marguerite Carrault, was the daughter of a brewer. Maximilien was the eldest of the couple’s four children.
  • // 1769
    At the age of eight, Maximilien went to the collège (middle school) of Arras. The bishop then recommended him to a scholarship to the Lycée Louis-le-Grand in Paris in 1769. There he was trained to be a lawyer and graduated at the age of 23.
  • // Mar 1782
    He was admitted to the Arras bar after the completion of his legal studies, and he was appointed the criminal judge in the Diocese of Arras in March 1782. As a young man he was opposed to the death penalty and thus faced difficulty in ruling on capital cases. Eventually he resigned.
  • // Apr 1789
    He became the president of the powerful Jacobin political faction in April 1789. The following year he participated in writing the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, the foundation of the French constitution.
  • // Aug 1792
    He was very active during the uprising against King Louis XVI in August 1792 following which the monarchy was abolished. At that time Robespierre was elected to head the Paris delegation to the new National Convention.
  • // 21st Sep 1792 To Jan 1793
    Under his leadership the Convention effectively ended monarchy and established France as a republic on 21 September 1792. The king was put on trial for treason and Robespierre argued for the king’s execution which was carried out in January 1793.
  • // Mar 1793
    After the king’s execution, Robespierre’s influence increased manifold. However, France’s troubles also continued to increase and the need of a state government was felt. The Jacobins established a Revolutionary Tribunal in March 1793 and replaced the Committee of General Defense with the Committee of Public Safety, of which Robespierre was a member.
  • // Sep 1793
    He quickly became a dominant force in the committee which launched the’ Reign of Terror’ in September 1793 to deal with the threat of foreign invasion and increasing disorder in the country. It was a period marked by extreme violence in which tens of thousands of "enemies of the revolution" were mass executed. Robespierre became a much hated figure following the killings.
  • // 28th Jul 1794
    Following the Thermidorian Reaction which was triggered by a vote of the National Convention to execute Maximilien Robespierre, he was arrested, declared an outlaw, and condemned without judicial process. He was executed on 28 July 1794 along with several of his close aides. His death ended the most radical phase of the French Revolution.

// Famous Taurus Celebrities peoples

Jason Simpson

Jason Simpson

Jason Simpson is the son of former NFL running back, broadcaster and actor O. J. Simpson. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family, life, and little known facts about him.

Sophie Reade

Sophie Reade

Sophie Victoria Reade is a British model and reality show star. Let’s take a look at her family and personal life, including her age, birthday, boyfriends, and some interesting facts.

ASMR Aspen

ASMR Aspen

ASMR Aspen is an American YouTuber. Check out this biography to know about her birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about her.

Bertil Gotthard Ohlin

Bertil Gotthard Ohlin

Bertil Gotthard Ohlin was a famous Swedish economist. This biography profiles his childhood, family life & achievements.

Josh Temple

Josh Temple

Check out all that you wanted to know about Josh Temple (Slogoman), the famous British YouTube Personality; his birthday, his family and personal life, his girlfriends, fun trivia facts and more.

Aidan Prince

Aidan Prince

Aidan Prince is an American dancer, actor and vlogger. Let’s have a look at his family and personal life including age, date of birth, net worth, and fun facts.

Maximilien de Robespierre's FAQ

  • What is Maximilien de Robespierre birthday?

    Maximilien de Robespierre was born at 1758-05-06

  • When was Maximilien de Robespierre died?

    Maximilien de Robespierre was died at 1794-07-28

  • Where was Maximilien de Robespierre died?

    Maximilien de Robespierre was died in Paris

  • Which age was Maximilien de Robespierre died?

    Maximilien de Robespierre was died at age 36

  • Where is Maximilien de Robespierre's birth place?

    Maximilien de Robespierre was born in Arras

  • What is Maximilien de Robespierre nationalities?

    Maximilien de Robespierre's nationalities is French

  • Who is Maximilien de Robespierre siblings?

    Maximilien de Robespierre's siblings is Augustin Robespierre

  • What was Maximilien de Robespierre universities?

    Maximilien de Robespierre studied at 1781 - Lycée Louis-le-Grand

  • What is Maximilien de Robespierre's cause of dead?

    Maximilien de Robespierre dead because of Execution

  • What is Maximilien de Robespierre's political ideology?

    Maximilien de Robespierre's political ideology is (1789–1794) - Political party Jacobin Club, Other political affiliations - (1792–1794) - The Mountain

  • What is Maximilien de Robespierre's religion?

    Maximilien de Robespierre's religion is Deism

  • Who is Maximilien de Robespierre's father?

    Maximilien de Robespierre's father is Maximilien Barthélémy François de Robespierre

  • Who is Maximilien de Robespierre's mother?

    Maximilien de Robespierre's mother is Jacqueline Marguerite Carrault

  • What is Maximilien de Robespierre's sun sign?

    Maximilien de Robespierre is Taurus

  • How famous is Maximilien de Robespierre?

    Maximilien de Robespierre is famouse as Influential Figure of the French Revolution