Origins & Early Life

Augustin Bon Joseph de Robespierre (French: [ogystɛ̃ d(ə) ʁɔbɛspjɛʁ]; 21 January 1763 – 28 July 1794), known as Robespierre the Younger (Robespierre le Jeune), was a French lawyer and politician, the younger brother of revolutionary leader Maximilien Robespierre. His political views were similar to his brother's. When his brother was arrested on 9 Thermidor, Robespierre volunteered to be arrested as well, and he was executed by the guillotine along with Maximilien and 20 of his supporters. Robespierre was born in Arras, the youngest of four children of the lawyer Maximilien-Barthelemy-François de Robespierre and Jacqueline-Marguerite Carrault, the daughter of a brewer.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His mother died when he was one year old, and his grief-stricken father abandoned the family to go to Bavaria, where he died in 1777. Augustin was brought up by his grandparents. His brother Maximilien had won a scholarship from the Abbey of St. Vaast to pay for his studies at the Lycée Louis-le-Grand and had been such an outstanding student that when he obtained his degree in law, he asked the Abbot, Cardinal de Rohan, if he would transfer the scholarship to his younger brother to allow him to follow...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abbé Prévost — Contemporary (Died in 1763) (1763): French novelist, best known for the highly popular romance, Manon Lescaut.
• Adalbert Gyrowetz — Contemporary (Born in 1763) (1763): Czech-Austrian composer known for symphonies and string quartets.
• Cao Xueqin — Contemporary (Died in 1763) (1763): Master of Qing Dynasty literature, famed for Dream of the Red Chamber.
• Antonio López de Santa Anna — Contemporary (Born in 1794) (1794): Controversial Mexican general and politician, pivotal figure in 19th-century Mexican history.
• Camille Desmoulins — Contemporary (Died in 1794) (1794): Key journalist and radical voice of the French Revolution, instrumental in the fall of the monarchy.
• Cesare Beccaria — Contemporary (Died in 1794) (1794): Pioneering jurist whose work reformed criminal justice and condemned torture.
• Aluísio Azevedo — Shared historical date (01-21 · Died) (1913): Pioneering Brazilian Naturalist novelist, diplomat, and literary figure.
• Ashton Eaton — Shared historical date (01-21 · Born) (1988): American decathlete and two-time Olympic champion known for setting world records.
• Abraham Pais — Shared historical date (07-28 · Died) (2000): Pioneering physicist and acclaimed science historian of modern physics.
• Adrien Broner — Shared historical date (07-28 · Born) (1989): American former professional boxer known for winning world titles across multiple weight classes.
• 1763 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1763
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• 1794 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1794
• July 28 (07-28) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on July 28