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Barras, Paul François Jean Nicolas, Comte de 1755-1829
French revolutionary

He was born in Fox-Amphoux. An original member of the Jacobin Club, he was chiefly responsible for the overthrow of Robespierre, and was given dictatorial powers by the National Convention. In 1795, acting against a Royalist uprising, he was aided by his young friend Napoleon Bonaparte (later Napoleon I), who fired on the rebels (the historical 'whiff of grapeshot'). Barras became one of the five members of the Directory (1795). Once more dictator in 1797, he guided the state almost alone, until his hedonism and corruption made him so unpopular that Napoleon overthrew him easily (1799).

Bibliography: J Vivent, Barras, Le "Roi" de la République (1938)