Jean-Paul Marat was a prominent and polarizing figure during the French Revolution, celebrated by some as a champion of the poor and reviled by others as an agitator. Through his publication, L'Ami du Peuple (The Friend of the People), he advocated for radical measures, including the execution of counter-revolutionaries, to protect the revolution's ideals. His harsh rhetoric and unyielding stance made him a target of opposition, particularly from the moderate Girondins. Stricken with a painful skin condition, Marat spent much of his time in medicinal baths, which became his sanctuary and workplace. His passion and uncompromising approach ensured his influence but also painted him as a dangerous symbol of the revolution's growing extremism.
Charlotte Corday, a supporter of the moderate Girondins, saw Marat as the root of the revolutionary violence consuming France. Believing his death would restore order and end the Reign of Terror, she devised a plan to assassinate him. On July 13, 1793, she gained access to Marat’s apartment under the guise of providing intelligence on counter-revolutionaries. While he bathed, she stabbed him in the chest, killing him instantly. Arrested on the spot, Corday maintained that her actions were for the greater good of France. Her execution four days later turned her into a controversial figure—a villain to some, a heroine to others. However, her act solidified Marat's status as a revolutionary martyr and further escalated the conflict she sought to calm.
