Georges Danton

Georges Jacques Danton (US: also ; French: [ʒɔʁʒ dɑ̃tɔ̃]; 26 October 1759 – 5 April 1794) was a French politician and one of the leading figures of the French Revolution. A relatively obscure lawyer before the Revolution, he became a prominent orator of the Cordeliers Club and, following the overthrow of the monarchy on 10 August 1792, was appointed Minister of Justice. His role in the September Massacres has long been disputed. In early 1793, the National Convention sent him to Belgium in connection with the military and political crisis surrounding General Dumouriez. That spring, Danton supported the establishment of the Revolutionary Tribunal and helped establish the Committee of Public Safety, of which he became one of the first members.

During the Insurrection of 31 May – 2 June 1793, Danton supported the dissolution of the Commission of Twelve, while taking a more ambivalent position toward the use of force against the Girondins. After leaving the Committee of Public Safety in July 1793, Danton increasingly distanced himself from its policies and in September refused to rejoin it. In early October 1793, Danton withdrew from political life for a time, but returned to Paris mid-November and emerged as one of the leading moderates calling for greater clemency and end to the Terror. His criticism of the Committee of Public Safety brought him into growing conflict with its members. On 25 December 1793 (5 Nivôse, year II), Robespierre responded publicly to demands associated with Danton and his allies for greater clemency. In late March 1794, Danton again spoke in favour of ending the Terror. Within days he was arrested, tried on charges of conspiracy and venality, and executed by guillotine on 5 April 1794.

Danton's political role and historical reputation have long been subjects of debate. During the Third Republic (1870–1940), he was often portrayed as a central figure in the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of the First Republic.