Jean-Henri Voulland
Voulland belonged to the leadership of the Committee of General Security. In Year II of the Republic, he directed the judicial machinery of the Terror. Voulland openly sympathized with the ultra-revolutionaries around Jacques-René Hébert. But nothing connected him to Robespierre, the most powerful man on the Committee of Public Safety, except deep hostility. An atheist, Voulland despised the religiosity of the Incorruptible. After Robespierre’s fall, the former terrorist repeatedly had to defend himself against accusations from within the Convention. Following the popular uprising of 1 Prairial, the Convention issued a decree for his arrest. Voulland was forced to go into hiding for months. In October 1795, the Convention dissolved and proclaimed a general amnesty. Voulland was a free man again. But disillusioned with the revolutionaries, he withdrew from politics. He died in Paris – lonely and forgotten.
JK
1751 - 1801
- October 11, 1751 · Birth in Uzès.
- May 1789 · Deputy of the Third Estate for the district of Nîmes to the Estates-General.
- September 1792 · Elected deputy to the National Convention for the department of Gard.
- September 14, 1793 · Elected to the Committee of General Security.
- February 2, 1794 · Voulland defends the Hébertists Ronsin and Vincent before the Convention, accused by Philippeaux.
- July 27, 1794 · Active participation in the overthrow of Robespierre.
- August 29, 1794 · Lecointre attacks Voulland and other committee members in the Convention, accusing them of participation in Robespierre’s system of Terror. The accused successfully defend themselves.
- September 1, 1794 · Voulland loses his seat on the Committee of General Security following a draw by lot.
- May 28, 1795 · After the Prairial uprising, the Convention issues a decree for Voulland’s arrest. He goes into hiding.
- October 26, 1795 · General amnesty proclaimed by the dissolving Convention. Voulland no longer needs to hide but withdraws from political life.
- February 23, 1801 · Voulland dies in Paris at the age of 49.
Quotes
It is the third time that the welfare of the fatherland has compelled me to demand the death penalty; I hope it will be the last.
Voulland on the condemnation of Louis Capet, 17 January 1793.
We will gut this fat, well-fed turbot.
Voulland on Danton, 1794.
If you see me today as a free man, it is because the members of the Convention know what I hold against them.
Voulland to a friend, after the general amnesty, October 1795
Talk to Voulland
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External links
Le Moniteur
Septidi, 17 Fructidor, l'an 2 de la République Française une et indivisible
(September 3, 1794)
Emblem of the Committee of General Security
