Reubell was a committed republican. He was perhaps the most gifted politician in the Directory, of which he was a member for more than three years. His colleagues valued the expertise and pragmatic approach of this outstanding jurist and skilful diplomat. He also showed great determination: following the suppression of the Conspiracy of the Equals, he took firm action against the radical Jacobins. When the royalists later became a threat to the Republic, he was equally decisive – Reubell was one of the three Directors who carried out the coup of 18 Fructidor. In 1799, the drawing of lots forced him to leave the Directory. When Napoleon seized power in France six months later, Reubell retired from politics.
October 6, 1747 · Born in Colmar, Alsace, as the son of a distinguished lawyer. Jean-François follows in his father's profession.
April 2, 1789 · Elected as a deputy of the Third Estate for Colmar and Sélestat to the Estates-General.
September 1792 · Elected as a deputy for the department of Haut-Rhin to the National Convention.
January 1793 · Reubell supports the king's condemnation but is away on mission during the decisive vote and therefore does not cast a vote.
November 1795 · Elected to the Directory. Reubell takes on responsibilities particularly in justice, finance and foreign policy.
May 10, 1796 · The Directory orders the arrest of Gracchus Babeuf and other members of the Conspiracy of the Equals. As a Director, Reubell supports the subsequent suppression of the neo-Jacobin movement.
September 4, 1797 · Together with Barras and La Révellière-Lépaux, he organises the coup of 18 Fructidor.
May 9, 1799 · Reubell is selected by lot as the outgoing Director in the regular rotation.
November 1799 · After Napoleon's coup, Reubell turns his back on politics and returns to his hometown of Colmar.
November 24, 1807 · Reubell dies in Colmar.
Jean-François Reubell lived to be 60 years old.
Quotes
Reubell seems entirely convinced that integrity and civic virtue are two absolutely incompatible things. Carnot on his fellow Directory member Reubell
It is generally acknowledged that Jean-François Reubell was the most prominent political figure under the Directory. Gerlof D. Homan, 1972
More obstinate than steadfast, more hot-tempered than energetic. Albert Sorel, 1903
Reubell was a committed republican. He was perhaps the most gifted politician in the Directory, of which he was a member for more than three years. His colleagues valued the expertise and pragmatic approach of this outstanding jurist and skilful diplomat. He also showed great determination: following the suppression of the Conspiracy of the Equals, he took firm action against the radical Jacobins. When the royalists later became a threat to the Republic, he was equally decisive – Reubell was one of the three Directors who carried out the coup of 18 Fructidor. In 1799, the drawing of lots forced him to leave the Directory. When Napoleon seized power in France six months later, Reubell retired from politics.
