Georges Danton

Georges Jacques Danton (October 26 1759 – April 5 1794) was a French lawyer and a leading figure in the French Revolution. He became a deputy to the Paris Commune, presided in the Cordeliers district, and visited the Jacobin club. In August 1792 he became French Minister of Justice and was responsible for inciting the September Massacres. In Spring 1793 he supported the foundation of a Revolutionary Tribunal and became the first president of the Committee of Public Safety. After the Insurrection of 31 May - 2 June 1793 he changed his mind on the use of force and lost his seat in the committee; Danton and Robespierre became rivals. In early October, 1793, he left politics but was urged to return to Paris to plead, as a moderate, for an end to the Terror. Danton's continual criticism of the Committee of Public Safety provoked further counter-attacks and he was guillotined by the advocates of revolutionary terror after accusations of conspiracy, venality and leniency toward the enemies of the Revolution.

Quotes



 * Il est satisfaisant, pour les ministres du peuple libre, d'avoir à lui annoncer que la patrie va être sauvée.
 * It is satisfying, for ministers of a free people, to be able to announce to them that the fatherland is going be saved.
 * Speech, Assemblée legislative, Paris (1792-09-02), reported in Le Moniteur (1792-09-04)


 * Après le pain, l'éducation est le premier besoin du peuple.
 * After bread, education is the first need of the people.
 * Speech, Assemblée législative, Paris (1793-08-13), reported in Le Moniteur (1793-08-15)


 * De l'audace, encore de l'audace, toujours de l'audace et la Patrie sera sauvée!
 * Audacity, then again audacity, always audacity and the Fatherland will be saved!
 * Speech, Assemblée legislative, Paris (1792-09-02), reported in Le Moniteur (1792-09-04)