Georges-Jacques Danton

Attended a seminary at Troyes; educated by the Oratorians at Troyes (1773-1775); studied at Paris and received a degree in law at Reims (1784); bought the office of advocate in the Conseil du Roi (1787); enrolled in the civic guard (1789); was a founder of the Club of the Cordeliers (1790) and a member of the Jacobin Club; was known as brilliant orator and became increasingly prominent in the revolutionary movement; elected a member of the Commune of Paris (1790); elected administrator of the département of Paris (31 Jan 1791); elected second assistant to the public prosecutor of the Commune of Paris (1791); was credited with successful inspiration of the insurrection of 10 Aug 1792; approved as minister of justice (10 Aug 1792 - 6 Oct 1792) by the Assemblée nationale (National Assembly); elected (6 Sep 1792) to the Convention nationale (National Convention) (1792-1794) as a deputy for Paris; called for reconciliation between the revolutionary factions; voted for the death sentence at the trial of King Louis XVI; was elected a member of the Comité de salut public (Committee of Public Safety) (7 Apr 1793 - 10 Jul 1793) and dominated this body until its reorganization after the expulsion of the Girondins; appeared as the leader of the moderate opposition (les Indulgents); served as President of the National Convention (25 Jul 1793 - 8 Aug 1793); disapproved the Reign of Terror and refused to serve on the Committee of Public Safety after he was elected for the second time (6 Sep 1793); challenged the policy of the Jacobin government; was arrested (30 Mar 1794) and tried by the revolutionary tribunal; sentenced to death and guillotined. Biography source: [3], [4]