Louis Antoine de Saint-Just
Louis Antoine Léon de Saint-Just (25 August 1767 – 28 July 1794) was a military and political leader during the French Revolution and one of the leaders of the Reign of Terror.
Biography
Saint-Just was born in 1767, and soon sided with the revolution. He was elected to the legislative assembly in 1791. Saint-Just adressed the National Convention at the trial of Louis XVI, stating "A king must reign or die".
By taking the position that Louis should be sentenced to death, Saint-Just was the first to voice a popular opinion that few dared to admit to. Saint-Just was strongly applauded by the Convention and soon became a noted revolutionary figure among the Jacobins.
In September 1793, the Reign of Terror began after the Committee of Public Safety became increasingly powerful. Saint-Just led the Committe along with Maximilien de Robespierre, Georges Couthon and Jean-Marie Collot d'Herbois.
Possibly due to his extreme political positions, a legend grew alluding that Saint-Just had clothing made from human skin in the tanneries of Paris
With the fall of the Jacobins, Saint-Just and his friend Robespierre were guillotined on 28 July 1794 as part of the Thermidorian Reaction.