Antoine Fouquier-Tinville
As public prosecutor of the Revolutionary Tribunal, Fouquier-Tinville ensured, strictly by the rules, the smooth operation of the guillotine. And with the Prairial Law, which abolished the defense of the accused, his task was made considerably easier. Heads fell like roof tiles. Called to account for his judicial murders, he accepted his own death sentence cheerfully and calmly. For the loving family father was blessed with the quiet conscience that he had merely followed orders. Yet to the same extent that he made himself, unconditionally and consistently, an instrument of the Committees’ Terror, Fouquier-Tinville was absolutely incorruptible – just like Robespierre. When he died – he too was guillotined – his wife and children were left utterly destitute.
JK
1746 - 1795
- June 10, 1746 · Born in Hérouël (Aisne, now Foreste), son of Marie-Louise Martine and Éloy Fouquier de Tinville.
- 1765 · After studying law, he works for the public prosecutor's office.
- 1774 · Buys a position as deputy prosecutor at the Châtelet court in Paris.
- 1783 · Sells his post to pay off debts and becomes secretary to the lieutenant general of police.
- March 13, 1793 · The Convention elects Louis-Joseph Faure as public prosecutor at the newly created Revolutionary Tribunal. Fouquier is chosen as one of his deputies. Faure declines the position. Fouquier takes his place.
- July 27, 1794 · When the executioner asks on 9 Thermidor whether the executions should proceed despite the events in Parliament, Fouquier replies:
Proceed according to the law!
- July 28, 1794 · Fouquier carries out the execution ordered by the Convention of the Robespierrists declared outlaws.
- August 1, 1794 · After Robespierre's fall, he is arrested by order of the National Convention.
- March 28, 1795 · Trial of Fouquier-Tinville and 23 co-defendants begins before the restructured Revolutionary Tribunal.
- May 6, 1795 · Sentenced to death, along with 15 others, for abuse of judicial authority, participation in unlawful convictions, and illegal application of the Law of 22 Prairial Year II.
- May 7, 1795 · Executed on the Place de Grève in Paris (now Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville).
Quotes
We were only the axe. Do you put the axe on trial?
Fouquier-Tinville
Beloved wife, what will become of you and our poor children?
Fouquier’s last letter to his wife, one day before his execution
And you, stupid rabble, you have no bread.
Fouquier’s reaction on the execution cart, when confronted with the phrase You do not have the right to speak!
which he had so often used against his defendants
Talk to Fouquier
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External links
Le Moniteur
Primedi, 21 Floréal, l'an 3 de la République Française une et indivisible
(May 10, 1795)
The last cart of the Terror, 9 Thermidor, Year II
