Georges Jacques Dantojv, a French revolutionist, born at Arcis-sur-Aube, Oct. 28, 1759, executed in Paris, April 5,1794. A lawyer by profession, he became one of the most fervent champions of the revolution. He had some intercourse with Mirabeau, and while the latter was exercising his influence over the constituent assembly and the middle classes, he controlled the populace, whose affections he won by his fervid eloquence, energetic bearing, and cordial manners. He was one of the founders of the club of Cordeliers, in conjunction with Camille Desmoulins and Marat, and advocated the most violent measures. After the return of Louis XVI. from Varennes, Danton was one of the most ardent promoters of the petition for his deposition. This petition, presented for signature at a popular mass meeting, resulted, July 17, 1791, in the "massacre of the Champ de Mars." Toward the end of the same year Danton was appointed a member of the administration of the department of the Seine, and assistant attorney of the common council of Paris. He was foremost in organizing and conducting the attack upon the Tuileries, Aug. 10, 1792, and eagerly participated in the fight. A few days afterward he received as a reward from the legislative assembly his appointment to the ministry of justice.

At the advance of the Prussian army of invasion in the latter part of August, which filled Paris with consternation, he showed such firmness and confidence that the assembly and the people were reassured; but at the same time he cried, " To stop the progress of* the enemy, we must strike the royalists with terror!" On the receipt of the news of the fall of Verdun (Sept. 1) the mob broke into the prisons of Paris, and the dreadful September massacres ensued. Danton himself was unquestionably instrumental in bringing about this bloody work. On being elected to the convention he resigned his office and became one of the leaders of that body. The death of the king was in his view a political necessity. "We have no right to be his judges, it is true," he said; "well, we will kill him." On his motion a levy of 300,000 men was ordered, and the revolutionary tribunal established, March 10, 1793. On the organization of the committee of public safety, April 6, he was appointed one of its members. Associating himself with Robespierre against the Girondists, he contributed to their fall, bat he would willingly have spared their lives. In his opinion, the moment had come when rigor should yield to forbearance.

Robespierre, however, did not agree with him, and seized the occasion to rid himself of an ally whom he had always secretly hated. Branded as a modere, Danton was seized at his house, March 31,1794, and imprisoned at the Luxembourg. Some of the members of the convention desired to save him; but Robespierre, supported by Saint-Just, obtained from the assembly an indirect approval of the arrest; it was decreed that, "in the name of virtue, terror was irrevocably the order of the day." Danton was arraigned with Camille Desmoulins, Lacroix, Fabre d'Eglantine, and others of his friends, before the revolutionary tribunal, April 2. Charged with having been the accomplice of all those enemies of the republic whom he had himself destroyed, he was not even allowed to put in a defence. He had himself instituted this tribunal, for doing which he now publicly begged pardon of God and man. "My object," said he, "was to prevent a new September, and not to let loose a scourge upon mankind. These Cains know nothing about government. I leave everything in frightful disorder." The contempt with which he treated his judges hastened his sentence. On hearing it he exclaimed: "We fall victims to contemptible cowards, but they will not long enjoy their victory.

Robespierre follows me; I drag him after me." On the road to the place of execution he preserved the most perfect composure, looking disdainfully at the mob that followed him with insults, and telling Camille to take no notice of such a vile rabble. Moved by the recollection of his wife, he shed a few tears, but immediately regaining his self-possession, said: "Be thyself, Danton; no weakness!" To the executioner he said: "Show my head to the crowd; it is worth their seeing." Robespierre witnessed the execution, and departed gleefully rubbing his hands.