Danton, Georges-Jacques

(1753-1794)

   political figure, revolutionary

   Born in Arcis-sur-Aube, Georges-Jacques Danton was a radical but pragmatic leader of the french revolution of 1789. He began his career as a lawyer in Paris and, when the revolution began, quickly became a leader of the cordeliers club, which he helped found, and earned a reputation as a radical orator. He was also suspected (1791) at the same time of taking bribes from royalists. Elected to a minor post in Paris, Danton achieved prominence with the fall of the monarchy in August 1792. Elected to the national Convention, he served as minister of justice (August 1792) and bore a great responsibility for the September massacres. He was soon attacked, along with jean-paul marat and maximilien robespierre, by the girondins, the moderate deputies who considered him to be a dangerous radical. Danton's efforts at reconciliation with the moderate faction failed, but the issue was ended when the Girondins fell from power in June 1793. Danton, who served too as envoy to Belgium (late 1792-early 1793) had at this point become a member of the Committee of Public Safety, but as such was unsuccessful in securing an end to the war. At the same time, Robespierre was rising as the committee's central figure. Danton was caught in the factional conflicts of 1794 and was accused of treason and corruption. Seeking to end or modify the terror, he sympathized along with camille desmoulins and others with the "Indulgents." Danton's position was further undermined by the intrigue and corruption of several of his associates, including fabre d'églantin, especially in the scandal over the issue of the liquidation of the Compagnie des Indes at a loss. Danton's position in the policy of de-Christianization led Robespierre to conclude reluctantly that the government's integrity could be maintained only by removing both the extreme radicals and the Indulgents. Danton was found guilty by the Revolutionary Tribunal and executed along with most of his supporters in April 1794. He is judged both as a realist who never fully accepted the revolutionary fervor and/or an opportunist who threatened the Revolution's security.