Background
He studied law and, after a short period of practice, was elected to the Estates-General of 1789. A man of towering physique, immense energy, and brutal force, he was also a superb and impassioned orator, and he soon attracted much attention. By 1791 he was one of the recognized leaders of the radical Cordelier Club. When the royal family fled from Paris and was captured at Varennes, he was foremost in demanding the retirement of King Louis XVI, and he was probably instrumental in organizing the attack on the Tuileries on Aug. 9-10, 1792, which resulted in the abolition of the monarchy. Danton played a leading role in the provisional government which was then organized, becoming minister of justice and a member of the provisional executive council. When the Prussians invaded Champagne on September 2, he rallied the nation to defend itself and expel the invaders in an eloquent speech ending with the often-quoted cry, "Pour les vaincre, il nous faut de l'audace, encore de l'audace, toujours de l'audace, et la France est sauvée!sauvee!" ("To crush them, what is necessary? To dare, to dare again, and always to dare, and France is saved!") His tremendous popularity incurred the enmity of other Revolutionary leaders, notably Robespierre and Saint-Just; and when he was accused of having become wealthy through secret dealings with royalists, speculators, and other highly suspect persons, his reputation was affected. He was dropped from the Committee of Public Safety on July 10, 1793, and retired temporarily from politics a few months later. He returned to Paris early in 1794, however, and became involved in a premature attempt to moderate the Reign of Terror which had been inaugurated by Robespierre. Danton was denounced before the Committee of Public Safety by Saint-Just and arrested on Mar. 31, 1794. At his trial his defiant eloquence became so powerful that a popular revolt in his favor was feared. Saint-Just declared that disrespect for justice deserved summary conviction, and the Convention promptly condemned Danton, together with fourteen of his followers. He was guillotined on Apr. 4, 1794, ascending the scaffold with steadfast courage and serenity.