ROBESPIERRE, MaxurtmEN MARIE ISIDORE DE, was born May 6, 1753, at Arras, where his father was an unsuccessful advocate. Having distinguished himself at the college of his native place, he was sent through the influence of a canon of the cathedral of Arras, to complete his education in Paris, at the college of Louis he Grand. where, by a singular chance, he found himself a fellow-student with Freron, and Camille Desmou lins. In his studies, lie was noted for diligence, regularity, and intelligence; and on the completion of his course at college, he devoted himself to the study of jurisprudence. After some years thus passed, he returned to Arras, to follow the profession of his father. In this his success was decided; and Kevious to the commencement of his more public career, he had become a person of considerable local note. While sedulously attending to his professional duties, he cultivated literature, not wholly without distinction; and in 1783 became a member of the Academy of Arras. Of the verses, which at this time he seems to have been fond of writing, some curious fragments are preserved. Having, it is said, in discharge of his duty as inember of the criminal court, been obliged to con demn a culprit to death, he resigned his situation on a point of conscientious objection to the barbarity of capital punishment—an incident sufficiently piquant in its contrast with subsequent portions of his history. On the memorable convocation of the states . general in 1789, lie had local influence sufficient to secure his election as one of the acputies of the tiers-elat, in which capacity he inuncdiately repaired to Versailles. In the assembly, he was for some time of little account; but gradually' he made for him self a position, and nice observers noted in him a quality of fanatical earnestness and :conviction, in virtue of which they surmised for' him a great career. " This man," said 3Iirabeau in particular, "will go far, for he believes,every word he says." (Get homme ira loin, car it croft tout ce dit). Though in the constituent assembly he spoke frequently. and—despite the disadvantages of a mean person, a harsh shrill voice, and an ungainly manner—Oways with increasing acceptance, it was outside as a popular demagogue and leader in the famous Jacobin club that his chief activity was exerted; and in this field his influence speedily became immense. After the death of )lira beau, whose giant figure, whilst he lived, seemed to dwarf all meaner men. his impor tance became more and more recognized; and from this time forward till his death his biography is in effect the history of the revolution. In May, 1791, he proposed and Carried the decree by which members of the assembly were excluded from a place in the legislature which succeeded; a measure obviously disastrous, as deterio rating the quality of the assembly, and more and more insuring its subjection to the Jacobins, of whom Robespierre was now the idol. His early aversion to capital punishment has been spoken of ; and it is curious enough to be noted, en passant, that now, on the 30th of May, he delivered an oration against it in the assembly, denouncing it as " base assassination.' On the dissolution of the constituent assem bly in Oct., 1791, Robespierre, uow famous, revisited his native town, where he was received with enthusaism; an escort of the national guard did honor to his entrance, and a general illumination of the place testified the admiration of the citizens for their deputy. After a stay of seven weeks, he returned to Paris, and resumed Ibis activity as a leader of the Jacobin club. In the entente of August 10, fol lowing, by which the king was dethroned, he took no prominent part; and though his complicity is suspected in the September massacres which ensued, no very distinct share in the infamy has ever yet been proved against him. To the national convention, which
was now formed, lie was returned at the head of the Paris deputies; and as recognized chief of the extreme party called the Mountain, he wag me of the main agents in pro curing the execution of the king, which took place in Dec., 1792. In the following year occurred his final struggle with the Girondists, who h'd twice before attacked him with .h view to compass his destruction, and the chief men among whom he now triumphantly. sent :to the scaffold. The period of "the terror" followed: Marie Antoinette and the infamous duke of Orleans were the first victims; Pe,ion, Danton, and Camille Desmon lins were next immolated, on a suspicion of favoring a reactionary policy; and for months, under the so-called committee of public safety, Paris became the scene of an quasi-judicial slaughter, in which some thousands of lives were sacrificed. With these enormous atrocities, the name of Robespierre, along with those of his friends, Couthon and St. Just, remains peculiarly associated. In the midst of the horror, took place, on June 8, 1794, that strange Fete de l'Etre Supreme, in which, in the name of the republic, the existence of a deity was decreed—a day of triumph for Robespierre, who, conspicuous as the first man in France, presided at the solemn mummery. But the end was near; men were weary of "the terror," and the general sense cf insecurity it induced; Robespierre had many enemies; in particular, the numerous friends of Banton were eager to avenge his death; a conspiracy was organized against "the tyrant," as he was now called, and after a scene of fierce tumult in the convention, his arrest was 'accomplished. A rescue by the populace followed, but he lacked the courage and promptitude to turn the opportunity to account; while lie hesitated, his enemies acted, and in July, 1794. he closed his career on the scaffold to which he had sent so many others.
Though without great and heroic qualities, Robespierre can scarcely have been the mean and contemptible creature he has not unfrequently been represented. The instant effect of his oratory we know; and even as read, his speeches command respect for the mental power they exhibit. The subtlest practical tact and judgment he must ph.inly have possessed; and though timid in his own person, he was dexterous to appropriate the results obtained by the boldness of others. In principle he was severe and consist ent; and the title of " incorruptible," which he early acquired, seems throughout to have been thoroughly deserved. In private life he was amiable; and though he waded to his public ends through blood, he had not the savage joy in the shedding of it which it has been common to attribute to him. He was callous, not actively cruel; and during the time of "the terror," it is simply the truth, that he was rather reluctantly acquiescent, than active in the atrocities for which he has since been held above all others responsible. "Death—always death!" he is said to have frequently exclaimed in private, " aud the scoundrels throw it all on mel a memory shall I leave behind me, if this lasts! Life is a burden to me." For a candid view of the character on this and its other sides, the more curious reader may be referred to the work on the subject by Mr. G. H. Lewes— Life of Jra.rimilien RobespSerre, kith Extracts from his Unpublished Correspondence (London, 'Chapman and Hall. 1849). See also the Histories of Thiers, Mignet, Carlyle, Michelet, Louis Blanc, and Ernest Hamel's Vie de Robespierre (Par. 1865).