Jean Paul Marat: brief biography

The journalist and deputy of the Convention, Jean Paul Marat, became one of the most famous and charismatic figures of the Great French Revolution. His newspaper "The Friend of the People" was the most important edition of his era. Marat, no doubt, was the master of minds and made a lot of enemies. A stormy era engulfed a well-known publicist - he was stabbed by a fanatical supporter of the enemy party.

Career physician

The future revolutionary Jean Paul Marat was born on May 24, 1743 in the Swiss town of Budri. His father was a famous physician, which determined the future career of the boy. Jean Paul was very early left without parents, and he had to lead a completely independent life since his youth. He constantly changed his place of residence and way of earning.

Ten years Jean Paul Marat was torn between Holland and England. He was a practicing physician and publicist. In 1775, the specialist became a doctor of medicine at Edinburgh University. In addition, Marat for eight years worked as a doctor at the court of the Earl of D'Artois - the future King of France Charles X.

The beginning of journalistic activity

By the age of 30, the writer had become quite famous in the philosophical field and had openly controversy with Voltaire. He published not only scientific works on physiology and medicine, but also was carried away by social themes. In 1774, from the pen of Marat appeared "Chains of slavery" - one of the loudest and most popular pamphlets of his time. The writer corresponded to the spirit of the times - in Western Europe, and especially in France, antimonarchic sentiments grew. Against this background, the publicist with his loud proclamations repeatedly fell into the sick nerve of society and gradually became more and more known.

Jean Paul Marat has established himself as a principled critic of absolutism. Bone European regimes he considered despotic and inhibit the development of society. Marat not only scolded the monarchy, he examined in detail the historical evolution of absolutism and its forms. In the "Chains of Slavery" he, as an alternative to the obsolete regime, proposed a new construction of a society with equal economic and political rights. His idea of egalitarianism was opposed to the then widespread elitarism.

Critic of the old order

In his views, Jean Paul Marat was widely recognized as a loyal supporter of Rousseau. At the same time, the pupil managed to develop some ideas of his teacher. A prominent place in the work of the thinker was occupied with the study of the struggle between the old feudal nobility and the bourgeoisie, which was a supporter of liberal ideas. Noting the importance of this rivalry, Marat stressed that the greater danger to peace in Europe is the antagonism between the rich and the poor. It was in social inequality that the writer saw the causes of the growing crisis.

Marat was generally a consistent advocate of the interests of the poor peasants and workers. It was for this reason that his figure became so cultic among the leftist parties. Many years later this revolutionary will be exalted in the USSR - his name will be called streets, and his biography will be the subject of many monographs.

"Friend of the people"

In 1789, when the revolution began in France, Marat took up publishing his own newspaper, The Friend of the People. The publicist was very popular before, and on the hectic days of civil activity he became a figure of a truly enormous scale. Marat himself was called "a friend of the people." In his newspaper he criticized any authorities for their oversights and crimes. The publication was constantly under the state press. But whenever it came to court, Marat (the only editor) managed to get out of the water. His newspaper enjoyed a frenzied popularity among the workers and the petty bourgeoisie of Paris.

From the publication equally obtained as a monarchy with the royal family, and all sorts of ministers with members of the National Assembly. "Friend of the people" has become one of the most important reasons for the widespread spread of radical revolutionary sentiments in the French capital. The newspaper was so popular that even fake editions appeared that tried to discredit it or take advantage of the attention of its public.

Emigration and homecoming

With each month of active journalistic activity, more and more ill-wishers acquired Jean Paul Marat. A brief biography of this revolutionary is an example of a person who is constantly hiding and hiding. He avoided not only the representatives of the authorities, but also various fanatics who attempted his life. At the height of the revolution, at the close of 1791, Marat even emigrated to England.

However, in London, the journalist was uncomfortable - he was used to being in the thick of things. After a brief absence, the popular publicist returned to Paris. It was April, 1792. The fermentation continued, but in a few years of civil unrest, changes have not been able to improve the situation of disaffected sections of the population.

Evolution of views

Many participants in the Great French Revolution constantly changed their views. Jean Paul Marat was no exception. A brief description of the evolution of his beliefs is as follows. At the first stage of the revolution, Marat advocated the preservation of the monarchy in a limited form and the dispersal of the National Assembly. In addition, he was contemptuous of the idea of a republican system. In July 1791, the king tried to flee, yet another disturbance began, and one of the demonstrations was even shot. After this episode, the editor of the "Friend of the People" joined the supporters of the overthrow of the Bourbons.

When Louis was arrested for another attempt to flee the country, Marat opposed the desire of the masses to crack down on the monarch without trial and investigation. The master of minds tried to defend the idea of the need to observe all legal formalities in assessing the guilt of the king. Marat was able to influence the Convention and force him to raise the issue of punishment by roll-call. 387 out of 721 deputies voted for the execution of Louis.

The fight against the Girondins

Since its inception, the Convention needed such bright speakers as Jean Paul Marat. Photo in those days was not there, but only pictures and newspaper clippings clearly demonstrate how he knew how to get the attention of the public. Charisma policy was demonstrated and another case. Among all the revolutionary parties, Marat chose and supported the Montagnards, from which he was elected to the Convention. Their opponents Girondins subjected the journalist to everyday criticism.

The enemies of Marat even managed to bring him to court for saying that the Convention was the abode of the counter-revolution. However, the deputy was able to use the public process as a rostrum and proved his own innocence. The Girondins believed that the star of Marat was about to roll out completely. However, in April 1793, after winning the court, he, on the contrary, returned triumphantly to the Convention. Unsinkable and omnipresent for his contemporaries was Jean Paul Marat. In short, if it was not for premature death, his fate would have been completely different.

The leader of the Jacobins

In June 1793, at the request of angry Parisians, the convention's deputies expelled the Girondins from it. The authorities for some time passed to the Jacobins, or more precisely, to their three leaders - Danton, Marat and Robespierre. They headed a political club, which was distinguished by its radical commitment to breaking the old feudal and monarchical system.

The Jacobins were supporters of terror, which they considered necessary means to achieve their political goals. In Paris they were also known as the Society of Friends of the Constitution. At the height of its popularity, the Jacobin Current included up to 500,000 supporters throughout France. Marat was not the founder of this movement, however, having joined him, he quickly became one of its leaders.

Murder

After the triumphant victory over the Girondins, Marat greatly weakened his health. He was struck by a severe skin ailment. Medicines did not help, and in order to somehow ease their suffering, the journalist constantly took baths. In this situation, he not only wrote, but even accepted visitors.

It was in such circumstances on July 13, 1793, that Charlotte Corday came to Marat. Unfortunately for her victim, she was a fierce supporter of the Girondins. The woman stabbed a weakened and helpless revolutionary. The bath where Jean Paul Marat was murdered was depicted in his famous painting by Jacques Louis David (his painting "The Death of Marat" became one of the most famous works of art dedicated to that turbulent era). At first the journalist's body was buried in the Pantheon. After another change of power in 1795, he was transferred to an ordinary cemetery. Anyway, but the murder of Jean Paul Marat became one of the loudest in the entire Great French Revolution.