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Antoine Joseph Santerre Biography

Antoine Joseph Santerre Image

SANTERRE, Antoine Joseph (1752-1809). A French revolutionist, born in Paris. At the outbreak of the Revolution he commanded a battalion in the National Guard, took part in the storming of the Bastille, and became an ardent Jacobin. He stirred up the émeute of the Champ de Mars in 1791 and led in the events of June 20 and Aug. 10, 1792. As commander of the National Guard he was present at the trial and execution of Louis XVI, whose last words he ordered the drums to drown. Made general of division in 1793, he led an army against the Vendéans, but was beaten. He was arrested and imprisoned till the fall of Robespierre. After the institution of the Directory he lost all prominence. [see

The New International Encyclopaedia, Vol. XX (New York: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1920) 453.