# Paul François Jean Nicolas, vicomte de Barras

> French politician (1755-1829)

**Wikidata**: [Q333843](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q333843)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Barras)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/paul-francois-jean-nicolas-vicomte-de-barras

## Summary
Paul François Jean Nicolas, vicomte de Barras (1755–1829) was a French politician and key figure in the Thermidorian Reaction that ended the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution. He is most notably remembered for his role as a leader of the Thermidorians and as a Director of the French Directory, where he wielded significant political influence during a turbulent period in French history.

## Biography
- Born: June 30, 1755
- Nationality: France
- Education: [data not provided]
- Known for: Leadership role in the Thermidorian government and involvement in the fall of Robespierre
- Employer(s): French Directory (as a member of the ruling body)
- Field(s): Politics, revolutionary governance

## Contributions
Paul François Jean Nicolas, vicomte de Barras was instrumental in the political upheaval that led to the fall of Maximilien Robespierre and the end of the Reign of Terror. As a member of the Thermidorians, he played a central role in the Thermidorian Reaction of 1794, which resulted in the execution of Robespierre and the dismantling of the Committee of Public Safety's dominance. He later became a Director of the French Directory, where he was involved in the executive leadership of post-revolutionary France. His political maneuvering helped shape the short-lived but pivotal Directory government, which governed France from 1795 to 1799.

## FAQs
### What role did Paul François Jean Nicolas, vicomte de Barras, play in the French Revolution?
Paul Barras was a leading figure in the Thermidorian Reaction, which led to the overthrow of Robespierre. As a Director of the French Directory, he was part of the executive leadership that governed France during a period of political instability.

### What is the Thermidorian Reaction?
The Thermidorian Reaction was a political shift in the French Revolution that ended the radical phase of the Reign of Terror. Barras was one of its key leaders, helping orchestrate the fall of Robespierre and the dismantling of the Jacobin regime.

### What was Paul Barras's political legacy?
Barras is remembered for his role in the Thermidorian government and his influence in the early years of the French Directory. He was a central figure in the political realignments that followed the Terror.

### Did Paul Barras hold any official government positions?
Yes, he served as a member of the French Directory, a five-member executive body that governed France from 1795 to 1799. He was one of the most influential figures during the early years of the Directory.

### What is known about Paul Barras's early life?
Born on June 30, 1755, Barras was of noble descent and initially pursued a military career before entering politics. His early life and education are not detailed in the source, but he became a significant political operator during the Revolution.

### What happened in the later part of Paul Barras's life?
After the fall of the Directory and rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, Barras was sidelined from power. He lived in relative obscurity until his death on January 29, 1829.

## Why They Matter
Paul Barras played a pivotal role in reshaping the French government after the fall of Robespierre. His leadership during the Thermidorian Reaction helped end the Reign of Terror and initiate a new phase of governance. As a member of the Directory, he influenced the executive decisions of a fragile post-revolutionary state. His actions had a direct impact on the political climate that preceded Napoleon's rise to power. Without Barras’s involvement in the Thermidorian Reaction, the radical phase of the Revolution may have continued unchecked, altering the course of French history.

## Notable For
- Orchestrating the fall of Robespierre during the Thermidorian Reaction
- Serving as a Director of the French Directory
- Being a central figure in the post-Terror political restructuring
- Influencing the transition from the Committee of Public Safety to the Directory system
- Playing a key role in the political elite that eventually enabled Napoleon Bonaparte's rise to power

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Paul François Jean Nicolas, vicomte de Barras, was born on June 30, 1755. He came from a noble family and initially pursued a military career before transitioning into politics. His early political alignment with the Thermidorians positioned him as a key player in the post-Terror political landscape.

### Political Rise and the Thermidorian Reaction
Barras became a prominent figure in the Thermidorian Reaction of 1794, which led to the fall of Robespierre and the end of the Reign of Terror. As a leader of the Thermidorians, he was instrumental in the events that dismantled the radical Jacobin regime and shifted France toward a more moderate government.

### Role in the French Directory
As a member of the French Directory, Barras was one of five Directors who governed France from 1795 to 1799. He was particularly influential in the early years of the Directory, where he helped shape the executive decisions of a volatile period. His political acumen allowed him to navigate the shifting power dynamics of the time.

### Influence on French Governance
Paul Barras's contributions to French governance were significant in the transition from the radical phase of the Revolution to a more conservative executive structure. His role in the Thermidorian Reaction and as a Director positioned him as a central figure in the political realignments that preceded Napoleon's rise.

### Later Life and Legacy
After the Directory was overthrown and Napoleon Bonaparte consolidated power, Barras was gradually removed from influence. He lived in relative obscurity for much of his later life and died on January 29, 1829. His legacy remains tied to his role in ending the Terror and shaping the early French Republic.

### Political Affiliations and Impact
Paul Barras was a key member of the Thermidorians, a political faction that played a critical role in the French Revolution. His influence extended beyond the fall of Robespierre, as he was involved in the restructuring of the French government. His actions helped establish the political conditions that allowed Napoleon to rise to power, marking a significant shift in French political history.

### Death and Historical Significance
Paul Barras died on January 29, 1829. His political career left a lasting mark on the French Revolution, particularly in the transition from the Committee of Public Safety to the Directory. His legacy is preserved in the historical narrative of the Revolution as a pivotal figure in the shift from radicalism to moderation.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. Le Père Lachaise historique, monumental et biographique
4. Find a Grave
5. International Standard Name Identifier
6. [Source](https://francearchives.fr/fr/file/ad46ac22be9df6a4d1dae40326de46d8a5cbd19d/FRSHD_PUB_00000355.pdf)
7. SNAC
8. Babelio
9. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
10. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
11. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
12. GeneaStar
13. Roglo
14. Genealogics
15. Sycomore
16. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013