Barère

Barère (1755-1841) was a French revolutionary, a member of the States-General, the National Assembly of France, and the Convention. He voted in the Convention for the execution of the king, uttering the oft-quoted words, "The tree of Liberty thrives only when watered by the blood of tyrants." He escaped the fate of his associates. He became a spy under Napoleon and was called by Burke, from his flowery oratory, the Anacreon of the Guillotine, and by Mercier, "the greatest liar in France." He was inventor of the famous fable "his masterpiece," of the "Sinking of the 'Vengeur'," "the largest, most inspiring piece of 'blaque' manufactured, for some centuries, by any man or nation." Ultimately, he died in beggary.

Nearby pages
Barf, Barf bag, Barfleur, Barfly, Barfrush