Jean Baptist Drouet?, a French revolutionist, born at Sainte-Menehould, in Champagne, Jan. 8, 1763, died in Macon, April 11, 1824. After serving seven years as a common soldier, he returned to his native town, where he assisted his father, who was at the head of the post office. In the evening of June 21, 1791, the royal family, on their flight to the frontier, stopped at the town to change horses, when Jean Baptiste identified Louis XVI. and Marie Antoinette, and caused them to be arrested. For this the national assembly voted him 30,000 francs, which he is believed to have refused; and in September, 1792, he was chosen member of the convention by his native department of Marne. Here he became one of the most violent of the terrorists. He voted for the immediate death of the king, and on July 20, 1793, he proposed a wholesale butchery of the English residents of France. In September he was sent on a mission to the army of the north, fell into the hands of the enemy, and was sent to the fortress of Spielberg. This added to his popularity, and on his return to Paris in December, 1795, he was received with great enthusiasm, and appointed secretary of the council of 500. He joined Babeuf's conspiracy and was imprisoned, but made his escape, and took refuge in Switzerland, and afterward in the Canary islands.

Here he aided the inhabitants in repelling the attack of Nelson on Teneriffe in 1797. Being acquitted in the Babeuf trial, he returned to Paris and resumed his old position. After the advent of Napoleon he suddenly and completely dropped his republican convictions, became a sub-prefect, and fought in 1814 against the allies. During the hundred days he represented his department in the chamber of deputies, but under the restoration he was expelled from France as one of the regicides. He passed the last years of his life at Macon under the fictitious name of Merger, and was only identified after his death.