Camille Desmoulins French revolutionary. Date of Birth: 02.03.1760 Country: France

1. Camille Desmoulins: A Revolutionary Firebrand
2. Early Life and Education
3. Call to Arms
4. La France Libre
5. Les Révolutions de France et de Brabant
6. Club of the Cordeliers
7. Member of the Convention
8. Advocate for Violence
9. Le Vieux Cordelier
10. Execution
11. Last Words

Camille Desmoulins: A Revolutionary Firebrand

Camille Desmoulins, a prominent figure in the French Revolution, played a pivotal role in the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic.

Early Life and Education

Desmoulins was born into a wealthy family in Guise, France, in 1760. He received his education at a prestigious Parisian college, where he befriended the future revolutionary leader, Maximilien Robespierre. Desmoulins developed a deep admiration for the ideals of the ancient Roman Republic.

Call to Arms

In 1785, Desmoulins became an advocate in the Paris Parliament. On July 12, 1789, when news of Jacques Necker's dismissal sparked unrest in Paris, Desmoulins addressed a crowd at the Palais-Royal, urging them to take up arms. He became known for attaching a green ribbon (the color of hope) to his hat, which inspired the crowd to storm the Bastille prison.

La France Libre

In July 1789, Desmoulins published a pamphlet entitled "La France libre," in which he demanded the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic.

Les Révolutions de France et de Brabant

From 1789 to 1791, Desmoulins published a series of inflammatory pamphlets titled "Les Révolutions de France et de Brabant." These writings played a significant role in shaping public opinion during the early years of the Revolution.

Club of the Cordeliers

Desmoulins founded the radical Club of the Cordeliers and became its secretary under the leadership of Georges Danton. He played a key role in mobilizing the revolutionary populace in the suburbs of Paris.

Member of the Convention

Elected as a deputy to the National Convention, Desmoulins initially belonged to the Mountain faction. However, he lacked the political cunning to become a prominent leader.

Advocate for Violence

Desmoulins supported the execution of King Louis XVI and contributed to the downfall of the Girondists through his pamphlet "Fragment de l'histoire de la Révolution."

Le Vieux Cordelier

During the Reign of Terror, Desmoulins began publishing a journal titled "Le Vieux Cordelier." He criticized the Committee of Public Safety's excessive use of violence, which led to his break with Robespierre.

Execution

Desmoulins and Danton were arrested and condemned by the Revolutionary Tribunal. On April 5, 1794, Desmoulins was guillotined alongside his close friend.

Last Words

According to executioner Charles-Henri Sanson, Desmoulins asked Sanson to deliver a locket to his wife's mother. As the guillotine blade fell, Desmoulins uttered the name "Lucile!" before his life was extinguished.