20 Vendémiaire
An CCXXXV
Augustin Robespierre
Augustin Robespierre – the younger brother of the feared Incorruptible. As a representative of the Convention, he was often far from Paris, and on his missions he proved less cruel than some of his colleagues. With the Army of Italy, he recognized and encouraged the young Bonaparte’s talent – a relationship that caused the Corsican serious trouble after Robespierre’s fall. When the Convention turned against Maximilien on 9 Thermidor, Augustin demanded his own arrest. The deputies granted his wish. He joined the insurgents at the Hôtel de Ville in Paris. When the Convention’s troops burst in, he threw himself from a window. In vain: severely injured, he was still alive. He had to wait many more hours in pain before being taken to the guillotine.
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1763 - 1794
- January 21, 1763 · Born in Arras, the younger brother of Maximilien Robespierre.
- July 16, 1764 · Death of his mother.
- 1767 · His father abandons his children. Augustin and Maximilien are raised by their maternal grandparents. Their father dies ten years later in Munich.
- September 1792 · Elected as a deputy for Paris to the National Convention.
- January 1793 · Augustin Robespierre votes unconditionally for the king’s execution.
- July 1793 · Representative of the Convention on mission to the Army of Italy (alongside Barras, among others).
- January 1794 · Mission to the department of Haute-Saône. Augustin Robespierre secures the release of prisoners held for their religious beliefs.
- July 27, 1794 · During the Convention’s session on 9 Thermidor, Augustin Robespierre demands his own arrest. He joins the insurgents who gather at the Hôtel de Ville that evening.
- July 28, 1794 · Shortly before troops loyal to the Convention capture the Hôtel de Ville, Augustin Robespierre throws himself from a window and is severely injured. That evening, he is guillotined on the Place de la Révolution. He is the second to be executed, after Couthon.
Quotes
… Citizen Buonaparte, general commanding the artillery, a man of outstanding merit.
From a letter from Augustin to his brother, 16 Germinal, Year II (5 April 1794)
I am as guilty as my brother; I share his virtues. I ask that a decree of indictment also be issued against me.
Augustin Robespierre at the Convention on 9 Thermidor
Couthon, all patriots have been outlawed, the entire people have risen; it would be a betrayal of the people if you did not join us at the Commune, where we are now.
Letter written by Augustin Robespierre on the night of 9–10 Thermidor, signed by him, his brother and Saint-Just
Le Moniteur
Augustin Robespierre on the night of 9–10 Thermidor, shortly before throwing himself from a window of the Hôtel de Ville.
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