Definition
Laurent Lecointre (7 March 1760 – 8 June 1799) was a French lawyer and revolutionary politician. He served as a deputy to the National Convention during the French Revolution and is most noted for his leading role in the Thermidorian Reaction that resulted in the fall of Maximilien Robespierre.
Overview
Born in the province of Charente, France, Lecointre pursued a legal career before entering politics. Elected to the National Convention in September 1792 as a representative of Charente, he initially aligned with the Jacobins. He later became a member of the Committee of General Security (1794–1795), where he participated in overseeing internal security and political policing.
Lecointre is most prominently remembered for his participation in the events of 9 Thermidor Year II (27 July 1794). As one of the convention’s orators, he helped mobilize the assembly against Robespierre and his allies, contributing to their arrest and subsequent execution. Following Thermidor, he continued his political activity as a member of the Council of Five Hundred (1795–1797) and was involved in the suppression of remaining Jacobin uprisings. He retired from public life after the coup of 18 Fructidor (4 September 1797) and died in Paris in 1799.
Etymology/Origin
The surname Lecointre is of French origin. It likely derives from the combination of the article le (“the”) and coin (“corner” or “nook”), a common formation in French family names indicating a geographical feature or residence near a corner or secluded place. No specific genealogical records linking the name to a particular locale have been confirmed.
Characteristics
- Political alignment: Initially a Jacobin, later a moderate Thermidorian who advocated for the end of the Reign of Terror.
- Roles: Deputy to the National Convention; member of the Committee of General Security; member of the Council of Five Hundred.
- Reputation: Recognized for persuasive oratory and decisive action during the Thermidorian coup; regarded by contemporaries as a pragmatic actor in the shifting revolutionary landscape.
- Legacy: Remembered chiefly for his contribution to the downfall of Robespierre, an event that marked the end of the most radical phase of the Revolution.
Related Topics
- French Revolution (1789–1799)
- National Convention
- Thermidorian Reaction
- Maximilien Robespierre
- Committee of General Security
- Council of Five Hundred
- Jacobin Club
- 18 Fructidor Coup (1797)