# Robespierre — The Elusive Pimpernel character guide

> Robespierre in The Elusive Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Citizen Robespierre

**First appearance:** 0002-i-paris-1793

## Snapshot

The Incorruptible's sensuous lips curl into a sarcastic smile as he weighs Chauvelin's florid promises against the guillotine's grim arithmetic.

## Who they are

Robespierre presides over the Committee of Public Safety with frigid impatience, reading Chauvelin's letter aloud to Danton, Collot d'Herbois, and the other decemvirs who orchestrate the Terror. He trusts the ex-ambassador's precision but not his nerve, noting drily that Chauvelin asks for help only because he is sure of the quarry yet unsure of the kill. His willingness to unleash Collot's inventive cruelties upon Boulogne raises the stakes of the Pimpernel's gamble and shows how the Revolution's machinery grinds even its most brilliant servants into instruments of butchery.

## Relationships

### [Citizen Chauvelin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/characters/citizen_chauvelin)

_professional_

Chauvelin reports to and collaborates with Robespierre as part of the revolutionary leadership.

### [Citizen Chauvelin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/characters/citizen_chauvelin)

_professional_

Chauvelin reports to and collaborates with Robespierre as part of the revolutionary leadership.

### [Citizen Chauvelin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/characters/citizen_chauvelin)

_professional_

Chauvelin reports to and collaborates with Robespierre as part of the revolutionary leadership.

## In the story

### [I: Paris: 1793](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/i-paris-1793)

Robespierre sits impassively, polishing his nails, calculating how to turn the new religion to his advantage.

### [II: A Retrospect](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/ii-a-retrospect)

The ruthless demagogue, pale and thin-lipped, who summons Chauvelin to confront the ongoing threat of the Pimpernel.

### [III: Ex-Ambassador Chauvelin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/iii-ex-ambassador-chauvelin)

Robespierre taunts Chauvelin, grants him resources for his mission, and subtly threatens him with the consequences of failure.

### [IX: Demoiselle Candeille](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/ix-demoiselle-candeille)

Mentioned as the signatory of the note accompanying the diamond necklace, along with Chauvelin.

### [Triumph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xx-triumph)

Leads the Committee of Public Safety, reads Chauvelin's letters, and signs the amnesty proclamation.

### [XXI: Suspense](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xxi-suspense)

Referenced in Chauvelin's memory of his interview, where he asked for absolute power.

### [XXIX: The National Fête](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xxix-the-national-f-te)

Cited as the authority who sent the order for the amnesty and the decree that 'le bon Dieu has ceased to be,' establishing the religion of Reason.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/characters/robespierre
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/characters