Title: Robespierre: the Meaning of Virtue | VQR Online
Headings: Robespierre: the Meaning of Virtue
Robespierre: the Meaning of Virtue
By Francis Leary

Content: The merry meetings alleviated the sense of social insecurity which he had known since childhood. Left an orphan when his mother died and his father, a failed alcoholic lawyer, disappeared, Maximilien had been brought up by two maiden aunts. Like the aunts, he became prim, fastidious, abhoring bad language, always watering his wine and keenly sensitive to slights. He had also a devouring passion to excel. He made his mark in the debate over voting procedure, with Maximilien insisting that the other two Orders join the Commons in the great work of transforming France. The issue squarely confronted monarchy and Commons. The king ruled by divine right, while the Commons, of which more than half were lawyers, wanted a constitutional monarchy. By no means was there unanimity concerning reform. The young Austrian queen of France, 34 years old, with her coterie of nobles, higher clergy, and royal officials, was vehement against Necker’s democratic program. King Louis, fat, good-natured, and eager to please but irresolute and with the mind of an artisan bricoleur, was dominated by his proud Queen.