Madame Tussaud's Memoirs and Reminiscences of France
Forming an Abridged History of the French Revolution

Madame Tussaud's memoirs, first published in 1838, offer evocative eyewitness insights into the events and personalities of the French Revolution.

Marie Tussaud (Author), Francis Hervé (Edited by)

9781108067065, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 January 2014

534 pages, 1 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 3 cm, 0.67 kg

As a younger woman, Anna Maria 'Marie' Tussaud (1761–1850) rubbed shoulders with many of the key figures of the French Revolution, sculpting in wax the likes of Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, Marat and Robespierre. After moving to Britain, she made her living by exhibiting her sculptures in numerous towns and cities. In 1835 she settled in London and opened her museum, which became one of the city's most popular attractions. Initially reluctant about releasing her memoirs, Madame Tussaud was convinced by her editor Francis Hervé (1781–1850) that her unique position - of seeing first-hand the events and characters that drove the Revolution, while maintaining a generally non-partisan view of them - would make the book of real interest to the public. First published in 1838, it offers evocative eyewitness insights into one of the defining periods in modern European history.

Preface
1. Introductory remarks
2. Voltaire crowned
3. Marie Antoinette
4. Ambassadors of Tippoo Saib
5. Madame Tussaud quits the Princess Elizabeth
6. Destruction of the busts
7. Duke of Orleans
8. The emperor Joseph the Second
9. The king's return to Paris
10. Proceedings of the Jacobins
11. Anacharsis Cloots
12. General Rochambeau
13. Immense mob on the 20th June, 1792
14. Various schemes
15. Robespierre
16. Massacre of priests
17. Accusation of Robespierre
18. Preparations for Louis's trial
19. The abbé Edgeworth
20. Armed commotion
21. Duke of York defeated
22. Arraignment of the twenty-two Girondins
23. Goddess of Reason
24. Malesherbes' trial
25. Duke of York's humanity
26. Robespierre's likeness
27. Kotzebue
28. Renewed attacks of the factions
29. Formation of a directory
30. Reception of Buonaparte
31. Napoleon's operations.

Subject Areas: European history [HBJD]