Olympe de Gouges (1748-93)

Olympe de Gouges was one of the more prominent victims of the Terror. She supported the Revolution but opposed the execution of Louis XVI. In 1793 she was guillotined for writing a piece critical of the government.

You can read about her life here. As you read it, you may enjoy - or not! - the splendidly misogynistic comment of the eminent French historian, Jules Michelet. Basically he believed she was troubling her pretty little head about matters she didn't understand.

You can read a translation of her Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Citizeness here.