Roland de la Platière, Jeanne-Marie

(1754-1793)

(Mme Roland, Manon Philipon)

   political figure

   Known as Manon Philipon, and especially as Mme Roland, Jeanne-Marie Roland de la Platière was born in Paris. she received a better education than most of the young women of her time. she studied mathematics and was a passionate reader of Plutarch, the ancient Roman biographer. Early on, she enthusiastically embraced the ideas of the revolution of 1789 while also editing articles for the Courier de Lyon. settling in Paris in 1791 with her husband, jean-marie roland de la platière, she was, more than he, the guiding spirit and adviser to the girondin movement, whose members (such as jacques brissot, condorcet) met in her salon. Her influence and her role were considerable during the Girondin minority (March-June 1793). Imprisoned after the fall of the Gironde (May 31-June 2, 1793), she wrote her Mémoires. Condemned to death by the Revolutionary Tribunal (November 8, 1793), she was guillotined. The statement, "Liberty, Oh Liberty, what crimes are committed in thy name," addressed to a large statue of Liberty nearby, is attributed to her at the time of her execution.