Maximilien François Robespierre was a French lawyer and politician who became one of the most influential figures of the French Revolution. He was a key leader of the radical Jacobin faction and played a significant role in the Reign of Terror, a period of mass executions and political repression during the revolution. Robespierre was known for his uncompromising stance on revolutionary ideals and his belief in the use of violence to achieve them. He was eventually overthrown and executed in 1794, marking the end of the Reign of Terror. Robespierre's legacy is complex, as he is both celebrated as a champion of the revolution and criticized for his authoritarian methods.