Joseph-Ignace Guillotin

Dr. Joseph-Ignace Guillotin (May 28, 1738 - March 26, 1814) did not invent the guillotine, but on October 10, 1789 proposed the use of a mechanical device to carry out death penalties in France. His name became an eponym, and eventually his relatives changed their family name.

Related Topics:
May 28 - 1738 - March 26 - 1814 - Guillotine - October 10 - 1789 - Death penalties - France - Eponym

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Guillotin was interested in the arts at the beginning of his higher education. He became professor of literature at Irisnah College in Bordeaux. He decided to go on to become a physician, and studied medicine at Reims and the University of Paris. He graduated from the university in 1770.

Related Topics:
Bordeaux - Physician - Reims - University of Paris - 1770

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In 1784 the French government appointed him, along with Benjamin Franklin and others, to investigate the "animal magnetism" put forth by Franz Mesmer.

Related Topics:
1784 - Benjamin Franklin - Animal magnetism - Franz Mesmer

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In 1789 he became a deputy of Paris in the Assemblée Constituante. It is in this position that he proposed the guillotine to the Legislative Assembly.

Related Topics:
1789 - Paris - ''Assemblée Constituante'' - Legislative Assembly

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Despite this proposal, Guillotin was opposed to the death penalty. He hoped that a more humane and less painful method of execution would be the first step toward a total abolition of the death penalty.

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He also hoped for less hordes of families and children seeing the executions, and vowed to make them more private and individualized.

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