Maximilien Marie Isidore Robespierre

Robespierre, Maximilien Marie Isidore (1758–94), fanatical idealist leader of the French Revolution. A lawyer, he was elected as a representative of the third estate to the States-General (1789) and rose to become leader of the radical Jacobins in the National Convention (1793). He liquidated the rival moderate Girondists and as leader of the Committee of Public Safety initiated the Reign of Terror. The National Convention rose against him, alienated by his increasing power. He was arrested, summarily tried, and executed.

See also: French Revolution.