Born at Hérouet in 1747; guillotined in Paris May 8, 1795.
He was a son of a wealthy farmer, and after studying law in Paris
bought a _charge_ of _procureur_ at the Châtelet. Although
active and intelligent, his well-known immorality prevented his
achieving success in his profession, and he was forced to sell his
_charge_ to avoid bankruptcy.
Reduced to any and every expedient to earn a livelihood, he addressed
some flattering verses to Louis XVI., which, by the efforts of the
Abbé Delille, obtained for their author an appointment in the bureau of
police.
On the outbreak of the Revolution, Fouquier-Tinville, became an
extremist, and was made commissionary over the district in Paris where
he resided.
He passed the evening of August 9 in the Commune, pronouncing the most
sanguinary discourses, and took a prominent part in the attack upon the
Tuileries the following day.
Robespierre and Danton appointed him a member of the jury of the
Revolutionary Tribunal.
His legal knowledge, his calm determined manner, and his gift of
eloquence led very shortly afterwards to his nomination to the post of
“Public Accuser.” From this moment he considered that he was “Minister
of Political Justice,” the Committee of Public Safety being his
sovereign, and the jury and executioners his servants. He interrogated
the accused as a judicial formality, but he made no inquiry as to the
innocence or guilt of the prisoner. Every evening at ten o’clock he
repaired to the Committee of Public Safety, to give an account of his
doings during the day. His lodgings were in the Palace of Justice, and
he never left them, except to go in the daytime to the Tribunal, and in
the evening to the Committee.
It was before him that Marat appeared on April 24, 1793, accused by the
National Assembly. Fouquier facilitated his acquittal; this was the
only instance in which he ever showed mercy. Before him passed in vast
procession during the next fifteen months the victims of the Revolution.
He accused and delivered to death Danton, Hébert and the whole Commune
of Paris, as mercilessly as he prosecuted the last Queen of France.
When Robespierre and his companions were dragged before the Tribunal,
Fouquier said to the jury, who were in doubt as to the course they
should pursue: “We are dispensers of justice, and justice must be
executed upon all who come before us.”
After the 12th Thermidor, Barrère was desirous of retaining
Fouquier-Tinville in his sanguinary functions. But a universal outcry
prevented this. Fréron, who had himself an odious reputation for
cruelty, denounced Fouquier, saying: “It is time Fouquier-Tinville were
sent to hell to expiate his bloody deeds.”
The Assembly decreed his trial, and five days later he appeared at the
bar of the Convention. He attempted to throw all the blame for his
acts upon Robespierre, but he was arrested and imprisoned. His trial
lasted forty-one days, over two hundred witnesses, who gave lengthy
evidence, being interrogated