French revolutionary politician.

His Théorie des lois criminelles (1780) set forth his ideas for reforming the criminal justice system and established him as an anti-royalist and enemy of social injustice. Allied with Pétion, Robespierre, and Marat.

Twice accused of authoring anonymous pamphlets and imprisoned in the Bastille.

Spent time in England and in the United States (c. 1788). Nominated by Franklin to the American Philosophical Society (1788).

One of the founders and president of the influential Société des Amis des Noirs (1788).

Born in Ouarville, near Chartres. Guillotined at Paris.