Jean Paul MaratThe Life and Influence of a Powerful Political Leader

By Melissa Bryan

Birth and Early Life

Born in Switzerland Not Certain: Lower Middle Class

Jean Mara: Father Converted from Catholicism to Calvinism Spanish physician

Louise Cabral: Mother Oldest out of 5 children

Education and Early Jobs

Homeschooled until 16 Written accounts: Toulouse and Bordeaux

Studied Medicine Went to Paris to study medicine

Gained no formal qualifications Traveled around a bit after migrating to

London Set up medical practice: 1765

Invited to Paris for Position of Physician Left 1777

Pre-Political Papers

Interested in philosophical problems Published “An Essay on the Human Soul”▪ Expanded into Essay on Man

Works were criticized by Voltaire Kept in his mind

Political Papers

The Chains of Slavery London, 1774 People lose independence to rulers as

they age Plan de Législation criminelle

Plan de Législation criminelle

1780 4 Parts

Fundamentals of Legislation▪ Men born as Master or slave▪ Definition of crime▪ Breaking Laws▪ Laws made for good of common interest

False Political Crimes▪ Cause harm to Country and Nation

Law of Evidence▪ Interest to jurisdiction, not reader

Process▪ Eliminate jurisdiction where elected by Monarch▪ Representatives for Poor

Marat in the French Revolution: Pre-Radical Turn

Wrote Pamphlet about the Meeting of the States-General Offrande à la Patrie▪ 62 pages

Miseries of People Letter of Convocation to the States-General Rights and Duties of Representatives Effectiveness and Advantages to permanent

estate meetings Still believed in Monarchy

L’Ami du Peuple

Newspaper published by Marat Defiance to Government Promotes heavy violence

Instigator for many revolts Articles short, yet effective

Marat in the French Revolution

Not able to fight Skin Disease▪ Pruritus▪ Considered incurable at the time▪ Confined to bathtub

Death

Charlotte Corday Feigned a list of traitors▪ Open door Policy

Stabbed Marat in the Chest Deemed as first Martyr of

the French Revolution