Maximilien Robespierre

Maximilien Francois Marie Isidore Robespierre was a highly influential figure during the French Revolution. He was a politician and lawyer born on May 6, 1768 in Artois, France. He was brought up by his maternal grandfather and mother's sisters. Robespierre is notorious for fighting against the death penalty, for the abolition of slavery and supporting equal rights, universal suffrage and establishing France as a republic. He opposed the war with Austria and fought to control a coup by the Marquis de Lafayette.
Robespierre was a member of the Committee of Public Safety and was one of the most important figures during the revolution in France known as the Reign of Terror. As a young man Robespierre was an obsessive follower of Jean Jacques Rousseau and his conception of revolution and fighting for political sovereignty for all citizens of France.
He and other like-minded molded the Jacobin Club and in April 1790 Robespierre became its president. He was known as The Incorruptible and an enemy of the monarchy.
When Louis XIV was arrested Robespierre supported the recommendation that Louis put on trial. Robespierre opposed judgment by primary assemblies and acknowledged judgment by committee.
Robespierre declared that Louis XIV should die that the country might live. King Louis XVI was beheaded on January 21, 1793. Robespierre has historically been linked to the radical supporters of the Revolution. Robespierre became the head of the revolutionary tribunals that beheaded 1300 people. Eventually Robespierre and his extreme security measures were seen and less imperative and on July 27, 179 Robespierre was placed under arrest. On July 28th Robespierre died on the guillotine.