Maximilien François Marie Isidore de Robespierre, French revolutionary leader, was born in Arras , in northern France , on May 6, 1758 .  He studied law in Paris and practiced in Arras gaining some reputation.  He was influenced by Jean Jacques Rousseau’s ideas of democracy.  In his speeches Robespierre would promote civil liberty and equality.  He favored giving the vote to all men, not just property owners, and he opposed slavery in the colonies.

In 1789 Robespierre was elected to the States General and became a prominent member of the Jacobin Club.  He emerged in the National Assembly as a popular radical emphasizing civic morality and virtue, earning him the nickname, “The Incorruptible”.   He unsuccessfully championed democratic elections.

In 1791 he held the government position of public accuser holding absolute life and death power over all citizens, without recourse to trial or appeal (resigned this post in April 1792). In August 1792 Robespierre presented a petition to the Legislative Assembly for a Revolutionary Tribunal (a court for the trial of political offenders). The Tribunal was instituted by decree of the National Convention on March 9, 1793 .

In 1792 Robespierre was elected first deputy for Paris in the National Convention, and became the leader of The Jacobins (known in the Assembly as the Mountain). 

On July 27, 1793 Robespierre was elected to the Committee of Public Safety, and for three months the committee dominated the country, introducing the Reign of Terror, in response to the dangers of foreign invasions and to maintain order and unity.  As Robespierre’s ruthless exercise of power increased, his popularity waned and on July 27, 1794 he was placed arrest for tyranny, and guillotined the next day on the orders of the Revolutionary Tribunal.

Adapted from:

Biography:  http://www.biography.com/search/article.do?id=9460463&page=print

Discover France : http://www.discoverfrance.net/France/History/DF_revolution.shtml

Catholic Encyclopedia: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13009a.htm

The History Guide:  http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/robespierre.html