Paul Barras

Although of noble birth, Paul François Barras joined the radical French revolutionary club the Jacobins and became a member of the National Convention. In July 1794, in an incident known as Thermidor, Barras led a coup d’état against the dictator Robespierre. The following year during a Royalist uprising in Paris, Barras (in another influential action) handed over control of his troops to Napoleon Bonaparte, who dispersed the mob.

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Barras, Paul François, Vicomte de; Thermidor

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