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An CCXXXIV

Marquis de Sade

Shortly before July 14, 1789, the Marquis de Sade called on the people of Paris to revolt against the authorities from the window of his prison cell. As a result, he was transferred from the Bastille to the asylum of Charenton. The prison commander, Launay, feared that the rebellious libertine might cause serious trouble. As we know, the Marquis’s removal could not prevent July 14, which ended with Launay’s head being paraded through Paris on a pike. But perhaps the Marquis de Sade, with his shouting, contributed more to the outbreak of the French Revolution than we can imagine today. After his release, he joined forces with the virtuous Robespierre, but was soon imprisoned again. By some stroke of luck, he survived the Reign of Terror and, for a short time in freedom, was able to return to writing pornographic texts—before being locked away for good. He died in the asylum.

1740 - 1814

June 2, 1740 · Donatien Alphonse François de Sade is born in Paris.
1756 · He takes part in the Seven Years’ War as an officer and receives several decorations.
1764 · Upon returning, he begins a debauched life filled with sexual scandals.
1777 · He is imprisoned for abusing prostitutes.
1784 · He is transferred to the Bastille.
July 1789 · Shortly before the storming of the Bastille, he is sent to the asylum of Charenton.
1790 · He is released and joins the Jacobins.
July 1793 · He becomes president of the Section des Piques in Paris.
December 8, 1793 · He is arrested as a suspect.
July 26, 1794 · Sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Tribunal, he escapes execution when he cannot be found on the day Robespierre is overthrown.
October 1794 · He is released shortly thereafter.
1803 · After publishing a text critical of Napoleon, he is arrested again and committed to Charenton.
December 2, 1814 · He dies in Charenton-Saint-Maurice.