1. Jean Paul Marat
1743-1793
"Man has the right to deal
with his oppressors by
devouring their palpitating
hearts."

2.  Jean-Paul
Marat (May 24, 1743 – July
13, 1793), was a Swiss-born French
physician, philosopher, political theorist
and scientist best known as a radical
journalist and politician from the French
Revolution. His journalism was renowned
for its fiery character and uncompromising
stance towards the new government,
"enemies of the revolution" and basic
reforms for the poorest members of
society.

3. Marat as a publisher

In September 1789,
Marat began his own
paper, which was at
first called Moniteur
patriote ("Patriotic
Watch"), changed
four days later to
Publiciste parisien,
and then finally L'Ami
du peuple ("The
Friend of the
People").

His journalism was
renowned for its fiery
character and
uncompromising
stance towards the
new government,
"enemies of the
revolution" and basic
reforms for the poorest
members of society.

4. 
Marat, long a supporter of the abolition of the Bourbon
Monarchy, subsequently attacked more moderate
revolutionary leaders. In July 1790, he wrote:
“ Five or six hundred heads cut off would
have assured your repose, freedom and happiness. A
false humanity has held your arms and suspended
your blows; because of this, millions of your brothers
will lose their lives.”

5. National Convention

Although still without party affiliation, Marat was
elected to the National Convention in September
1792 to represent the people of France. When
France was declared a Republic on September
22, Marat stopped printing L'Ami du peuple, and,
three days later, began the Journal de la
république française ("Journal of the French
Republic"). Much like L’Ami du peuple, it
criticized many of France's political figures, and
made Marat almost uniquely unpopular with his
fellow members of the Convention.

6. Skin Disease

Described during his time as a man "short in
stature, deformed in person, and hideous in
face," Marat has long been noted for physical
irregularities. The nature of Marat's debilitating
skin disease in particular has been an object of
ongoing medical interest. Dr. Josef E Jelinek
noted that his skin disease was intensely pruritic,
blistering, began in the perianal region, and was
associated with weight loss leading to
emaciation. He was sick with it for the three
years prior to his assassination. His skin disease
was having negative effects on his life, and his
last resort for alleviating the discomfort was to
soak in a medicinal bath.

7. Death of Marat


During the summer of 1793, Charlotte Corday, a
supporter of the rival faction the Girondins,
carried out an assassination of Marat.
Marat was in his bathtub on July 13, 1793, when
a woman claiming to be a messenger from Caen
(where escaped Girondins were trying to gain a
Normandy base) asked to be admitted to his
quarters.

8. 
When she entered, he asked her the
names of the offending deputies, and
after recording their names said
"They shall all be guillotined." The
young woman, Charlotte Corday,
then drew a knife, purchased earlier
that day at a shop, and stabbed him
in the chest. He called out, "À moi,
ma chère amie!" ("Help me, my dear
friend!"), and died. Corday was a
Girondin.

10. Questions?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What occupations did Marat have?
Who did Marat support in the French
Revolution?
What faction is responsible for the
assasination of Marat?
Where was Marat when he was
murdered?
Who murdered Marat?