Danton, Georges Jacques (1759–1794)

Revolutionary leader George Jacques Danton was sent to the guillotine in 1794 for his opposition to the policy known as the ‘reign of terror’. He is remembered as the leader of the faction that brought about the imprisonment of Louis XVI, but once the French Republic was established he called for a return to a normal constitution.

French revolutionary Georges Danton. He was an influential figure during the early 1790s, but eventually lost power to the Jacobins.

French revolutionary. Originally a lawyer, during the early years of the Revolution he was one of the most influential people in Paris. He organized the uprising 10 August 1792 that overthrew Louis XVI and the monarchy, roused the country to expel the Prussian invaders, and in April 1793 formed the revolutionary tribunal and the Committee of Public Safety, of which he was the leader until July of that year. Thereafter he lost power to the Jacobins, and, when he attempted to recover it, was arrested and guillotined.