Pierre-Claude-François Daunou

Pierre-Claude-François Daunou (born Aug. 18, 1761, Boulogne, France—died June 20, 1840, Paris) was a French statesman, theorist of liberalism, and historian. Educated at the local school of the Oratorians, Daunou became an Oratorian himself in 1777, taught in the order’s convents from 1780, and was ordained priest in 1787. During the French Revolution, he was elected to the Convention from Pas-de-Calais. He strongly opposed Louis XVI’s trial, protested against the proscription of the Girondins (moderate...