About

The younger brother of Maximilien Robespierre, Augustin studied at Louis-le-Grand after the scholarship previously held by his brother was transferred to him. A lawyer, he served as procureur-syndic in Arras and as an administrator of Pas-de-Calais before being elected to the Convention for Paris in September 1792. He voted for Louis XVI’s death without appeal to the people or reprieve. Sent to the Army of Italy in 1793, he reported General Carteaux’s failures and was among the representatives at Toulon who promoted Bonaparte to general of brigade. During a mission to Franche-Comté in early 1794, he ordered the release of numerous detainees, including cultivators and artisans imprisoned for religious opinions or without clearly stated grounds. On 9 Thermidor, after the Convention moved to arrest Maximilien, Augustin asked to be included in the decree. He was guillotined with his brother the following day.