What a character Mirabeau was! Life didn’t start too smoothly though. His gambling and libertine habits greatly disappointed his father who got him arrested on several occasions, hoping prison would teach his bratty son a good lesson…

Mirabeau then fell in love with beautiful Sophie. Only problem, she was already married and so was he! And at that time, adultery was a big deal! So they fled to Amsterdam to live up their passion. They were found and Mirabeau returned to prison while she was placed in a convent.

Fast forward to 1789, our man is going to shine as a deputy representing the third estate, aka the commoners. When the King’s soldiers tried to disperse the gathering of the Assembly, Mirabeau made history by defying the authority of Louis XVI: “ We are here by the will of the people, and we will only get out by the force of your bayonets!”

On 2nd April 1791, Mirabeau passed away and was the very first man to be honored and interred in the Pantheon! Do you know why he is no longer there?