Georges Danton

After bread, education is the first need of the people.

Georges Jacques Danton(October 261759–April 51794) was a French lawyer and a leading figure in theFrench Revolution.He became a deputy to theParis Commune,presided in theCordeliersdistrict, and visited theJacobin club.In August 1792 he becameFrench Minister of Justiceand was responsible for inciting theSeptember Massacres.In Spring 1793 he supported the foundation of aRevolutionary Tribunaland became the first president of theCommittee of Public Safety.After theInsurrection of 31 May - 2 June 1793he changed his mind on the use of force and lost his seat in the committee; Danton andRobespierrebecame rivals. In early October, 1793, he left politics but was urged to return to Paris to plead, as amoderate,for an end to the Terror. Danton's continual criticism of the Committee of Public Safety provoked further counter-attacks and he was guillotined by the advocates ofrevolutionary terrorafter accusations of conspiracy,venalityand leniency toward the enemies of the Revolution.

Quotes

We must dare, dare again, always dare!

• Il est satisfaisant, pour les ministres du peuple libre, d'avoir à lui annoncer que la patrie va être sauvée.[1]
  • It is satisfying, for ministers of a free people, to be able to announce to them that the fatherland is going be saved.
  • Speech, Assemblée legislative, Paris (1792-09-02), reported inLe Moniteur(1792-09-04)[2]

• Après le pain, l'éducation est le premier besoin du peuple.[3]
  • After bread, education is the first need of the people.
  • Speech, Assemblée législative, Paris (1793-08-13), reported inLe Moniteur(1793-08-15)

• De l'audace, encore de l'audace, toujours de l'audace et la Patrie sera sauvée!
  • Audacity, then again audacity, always audacity and the Fatherland will be saved!
  • Speech, Assemblée legislative, Paris (1792-09-02), reported inLe Moniteur(1792-09-04)

External links

• Works byGeorges DantonatProject Gutenberg