Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Fouquier-Tinville, Antoine Quentin

FOUQUIER-TINVILLE, ANTOINE QUENTIN, one of the most execrated figures of the French Revolution; born in Hérovel, France, in 1747. His early career was immoral, but insignificant. On the outbreak of the Revolution, he figured as one of the fiercest democrats. By Robespierre he was appointed, first, a member, then director and public accuser, of the revolutionary tribunal. Without education, or sense of justice, he executed the bloody orders of the Committee of Public Safety. Incapable of friendship, or of anything even remotely allied to generosity, he systematically abandoned his successive coadjutors in their hour of need, and sent to the scaffold, without the slightest compunction, Danton and Herbert, Robespierre and St. Just. He himself died by the guillotine, May 7, 1795.