Robespieere2

No figure of the French Revolutionary period has aroused so much controversy as that of Maximilien Robespierre (1758 – 1794). Seen by some historians as a power-crazed dictator and yet by others as the ‘incorruptible’ visionary of the revolution, the speculation surrounding his character and ideals is ever prominent.

Robespierre earned a name early on in his life for being an intelligent individual and joined the political scene after experiencing a successful career in law. He had a strong interest in humanity and the abused rights of people led him to formulate a more definite philosophy about the rights on man and he began to consider more serious ways in which society could be reformed through the law. Robespierre was very opposed to violence and gained himself the reputation for being a ‘defender of the oppressed’ by commending France on its ability to revolt without ...