Friday, November 21, 2008
RANDOM E BRITANNICA POST
COUSTOU- family of french sculptors-
nicholasc-1658-1733 son of wood carver. at 18 moved to paris to study under coysevoix-his uncle. guillaume c, his bro 1678-1746. even better. guilluame c the younger, son of n + affected by the 'bad taste of his time' 1716-1777.
COUTHON, GEORGES- 1756-1794 notorious during reign of terror. studied law & admitted his integrity, gentle heartedness charitable disposition. feeble health + 1/2 paralyzed from misadventure. at revolution avowed liberal sentiments, but still moderate, but as events progressing, his feelings gathered to boiling. in 1791 elected deputy to legislative assembly + became amongst the most violent jacobins. a vacation for health brought him close to dumouriez. voted for kings death. attached to robespuerre, who at 1st didn't like. impatient w/slow progress of siege of lyons, gathered army of 60,000 to destroy + ceremonial on a litter, w/ silver hammer, struck doors or walls to destroy + they did. 6 months to destroy them. he destroyed buildings. 1 of behind 22 ? patrial. became a triumverate + arrested soon after. subjected to undescribable sufferings + insults before going terrified to the guillotine.
