Gilbert Romme

Gilbert Romme (26 March 1750–17 June 1795) was a French politician and mathematician who developed the French Republican Calendar. Charles-Gilbert Romme was born in Riom, Puy-de-Dôme, in the Auvergne region of France, where he received an education in medicine and mathematics. After spending five years in Paris, he went to Russia to become the tutor of Paul Stroganoff. He returned to Paris in 1788 and entered political life. He was a member of th... more

Gilbert Romme (26 March 1750–17 June 1795) was a French politician and mathematician who developed the French Republican Calendar. Charles-Gilbert Romme was born in Riom, Puy-de-Dôme, in the Auvergne region of France, where he received an education in medicine and mathematics. After spending five years in Paris, he went to Russia to become the tutor of Paul Stroganoff. He returned to Paris in 1788 and entered political life. He was a member of the Masonic lodge, Les Neuf Sœurs. Elected in 10 September 1791 to the Legislative Assembly, Romme aligned himself with the Girondists, but after his election to the National Convention on 6 September 1792, he sided with the Montagnards. He voted in favour of the death sentence for Louis XVI. Later, in the events leading up to the Reign of Terror, he was arrested by Girondist supporters and was imprisoned in Caen for two months. During his tenure in National Convention, Romme served in the Comité de l’instruction Publique (Committee of Public... less