Chamfort

Chamfort, Nicolas, litterateur, was born in 1741 in Auvergne. His brilliant wit gained him an entrance to the highest literary circles in Paris. An intimate friend of Mirabeau, he zealously espoused the revolution, was secretary to the club of the Jacobins, and was foremost amongst the attacking party at the storming of the Bastille. As a writer of anecdotes, Chamfort has never been surpassed. His wit, however, cost him his life, for on account of some cutting innuendoes he offended the Jacobins, who threatened to have him arrested. To avoid this indignity he attempted suicide, and inflicted upon himself serious wounds from which he died after several days' suffering, April 13, 1791.