MARAT, Jean Paul, zhon pal French revolutionist : b. Boudry, Neuchatel. Swit zerland, 24 may 1744; d. Paris, 13 July 1793. He studied medicine in Paris, traveled widely and practised in London and later in Paris. The first breath of the Revolution converted the in dustrious doctor into an audacious fanatic and demagogue. He succeeded, by his violence and energy, in commanding attention. Danton in stituted the club of the Cordeliers and collected around him all the fiercest spirits; among the number, Marat, who became the editor of the Publiciste Parisien, better known under its later title L'Ami du Peuple, again changed to the Journal de la Republique Frcuscaise. This sheet was the oracle of the mob. Denounced to the Constitutional Assembly and proceeded against by the municipal authorities of Paris, he contrived to escape to London and was later in hiding in Paris. During the existence of the Legislative Assembly he continued his outrages, figured among the actors of 10 Aumist and in the assassination of September (1792). He was a member of the Committee of Public Safety to the convention and made the Minis ters, General Dumouriez and the Girondists, the objects of his attack. Being charged in the
convention with demanding in his journal 270, 000 heads, he openly boasted of that demand. and declared that he should call for many more if those were not yielded to him. The estab lishment of the revolutionary tribunal and of the committee for arresting the suspected was adopted on his motions. On the approach of 31 May, as president of the Jacobin Club, he signed an address instigating the people to an insurrection and to massacre all traitors. Even the Mountain party denounced this measure and Marat was delivered over to the revolu tionary tribunal, which acquitted him; the peo ple received him in triumph, covered him with civic wreaths and conducted him to the hall of the convention. His bloody career was closed by assassination. (See CORDAY D'Ait M A NS, C8AatorrE). His remains were placed in the Pantheon, whence they were later re moved. Consult Chevremont, Paul Marat' (1:•:1); Bat, 'Jean Paul Marat, the People's Friend' (1901) ; Velay, C., spondance de Marat' (Paris 1908).