Maximilien François Marie Isidore de Robespierre was one of the best known figures of the French Revolution. He was a lawyer and politician, whose leadership was subject to many controversies. On the one hand, Robespierre was promoter of the universal male suffrage and the abolition of slavery in French colonies. On the other hand, as his government continued, he became a tyrannical figure and was accused of executing political rivals. His government came to be known as the Reign of Terror. He was overthrown and later executed on July 28, 1794.