Roland de la Platière, Jean-Marie

(1734-1793)

   political figure

   Born in Thizy, Beaujolais, Jean-Marie Roland de la Platière adopted the ideas of the revolution of 1789 and sat as a notable on the Council of the Commune of lyon (1790), where he also helped to found a jacobin Club. Coming to paris in 1791, he allied himself with jacques brissot and became one of the leaders of the girondin, or Brissotin, movement with his wife, jeanne-marie roland. Under the Legislative Assembly, he was named minister of the interior in the Girondin cabinet formed in March 1792. Having taken a position against the September massacres, and above all having voted against the execution of the king, his popularity plummeted, and, on January 22, 1793, he tendered his resignation. During the elimination of the Girondins (May 31-June 2, 1793), he was outlawed and fled to Normandy, committing suicide after learning of the execution of his wife.