Danton, George Jacques

From Encyclopediak

Danton, George Jacques 1759-1794, a Prench statesman and patriot of the Revolutionary period. He took some part in planning the attack on the Tuileries Aug. 10, 1792, and voted for the death of the King. After Mirabeau he was the one statesman in the midst of the orators and theorists of the time. He looked upon the mob violence as a mere incident of the movement for liberty, and tried to join forces with the Girondists. When they held aloof he left them to their fate. After the fear of invasion was passing and a degree of internal security was felt he counseled moderation. This led to a break with Robespierre. He was thrown into prison, condemned on a charge of trying to restore the monarchy, and was later put to death.