Robespierre, Maximilien Marie Isidore de

Robespierre, Maximilien Marie Isidore de (1758-94), French statesman.

Maximilien Robespierre was one of the leaders of the French Revolution (1789-99).

In 1793, King Louis XVI was sent to the guillotine and the Reign of Terror followed, in which thousands of people were put to death.

At this time, Robespierre and Georges Danton were the two most powerful men in France.

In April 1794 Robespierre had Danton put to death. Three months later, he himself was sent to the guillotine by his enemies.

See Fatal Purity: Robespierre and the French Revolution ~ Ruth Scurr