Portrait of Antoine Joseph Santerre

Antoine-Joseph Santerre (1752–1809) was a leading figure of the French Revolution, involved in several major events of that period. With strong ties to the Faubourg Saint-Antoine, he played an active role in the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789. Appointed Commander-in-Chief of the National Guard in 1792, he took part in the September Massacres and oversaw the execution of Louis XVI on 21 January 1793. He is credited with ordering the National Guard drummers to drown out the voice of Louis XVI, who wished to address the people from the scaffold.
He subsequently discredited himself militarily during the War in the Vendée, turned to speculation under the Empire, and died ruined.