Georges Danton
Georges Danton (1759-94), French revolutionary leader. He led the rising of 1792, which over-threw Louis XVI and the monarchy, and was effectively head of the revolutionary government. However, he was unable to end the Reign of Terror, in which many people who were considered to be enemies of the revolution were guillotined, and he was himself tried and executed. One of the most controversial figures of the French Revolution, Danton has been regarded both as an outstanding orator and statesman and as a corrupt political opportunist.
