Maximilien Marie Isidore de Robespierre was born in Arras on 6 May 1758, the son of a lawyer. He was educated in Paris and entered the same profession as his father. He was elected a deputy of the estates-general that met in May 1789. He was later chosen as president of the powerful Jacobin political party in April 1790. He became increasingly popular for his attacks on the monarchy and his encouragement of democratic reforms. In 1791 he suggested that no member of the present Assembly should be able to run for the next Assembly. He was appointed Public Accuser. Roughly a year later, he resigned his post of Public Accuser. After the downfall of the monarchy in August 1792, he was elected first deputy for Paris to the National Convention.
The National Convention abolished the monarchy and declared France a republic. Later, the National Convention put King Louis XVI on trial for treason. These actions were all supported by Robespierre. The King would eventually be executed in January 1793.
Control of France passed to the Committee of Public Safety, which Robespierre was a member of. Robespierre was gaining support rapidly and was quickly becoming the dominant force on the committee. The Committee of Public Safety began the “Reign of Terror”, in which they killed anyone who was considered an enemy of the revolution.
Robespierre soon lost much of his supporters during the “Reign of Terror” and fled to the Common Hall, where the National Convention declared him an outlaw. Robespierre had his lower jaw broken by a shot fired by a member of the National Guard. The next day, July 28, he was sent to the Guillotine along with 21 others. Many of whom were some of his closest followers and supporters.
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