Robespierre by John Morley (1886)

Name: Robespierre
Author: John Morley

The biography focuses on the life and career of Maximilien Robespierre, a leading figure in the French Revolution. It explores his early years, his rise to prominence, and his eventual downfall during the Reign of Terror. The book examines Robespierre's ideology, his role in shaping revolutionary policy, and his complex relationships with other key figures such as Danton and Napoleon.

By John Morley · First published 1886 · Genre: Biography, History, Political Science · 2 chapters · 38,361 words

First lines

A French writer has recently published a careful and interesting volume on the famous events which ended in the overthrow of Robespierre and the close of the Reign of Terror.[1] These events are known in the historic calendar as the Revolution of Thermidor in the Year II. After the fall of the monarchy, the Convention decided that the year should begin with the autumnal equinox, and that the enumeration should date from the birth of the Republic. The Year I. opens on September 22, 1792; the Year II. opens on the same day of 1793. The month of Thermidor begins on July 19. The memorable Ninth Thermidor therefore corresponds to July 27, 1794. This has commonly been taken as the date of the commencement of a counter-revolution, and in one sense it was so. Comte, however, and others have preferred to fix the reaction at the execution of Danton (April 5, 1794), or Robespierre's official proclamation of Deism in the Festival of the Supreme Being (May 7, 1794).

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Robespierre is listed on Textopian as an essay by John Morley, dated 1886 CE.

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Work type: Essay
Author: John Morley
Date: 1886 CE
Language: English
Genres: Biography, History, Political Science, Philosophy, Literary Criticism
Length: 38,361 words
Structure: 2 chapters, 161 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Genres

Biography — The work focuses on the life and actions of a historical figure, providing insights into his character and influence.
History — It explores significant historical events and contexts surrounding the figure, detailing the political climate of the time.
Political Science — The text analyzes political ideologies and movements, particularly those related to the French Revolution.
Philosophy — It engages with themes of morality, justice, and the philosophical underpinnings of revolutionary thought.