Pierre Daunou

Pierre Daunou (1761–1840) was a French historian, archivist, and politician who helped shape revolutionary constitutions and founded the National Archives’ successor institution.

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Emmanuel-Joseph Sieyès: A French clergyman and political theorist whose writings and actions helped shape the French Revolution. Daunou served alongside Sieyès in revolutionary political institutions and constitutional debates.
French Revolution: A period of political and social upheaval in France from 1789 to 1799 that ended the monarchy and transformed government. Daunou entered public life as the Revolution dismantled royal institutions and created new political ones.
National Convention: The French revolutionary assembly that governed from 1792 to 1795 and established the republic. Daunou represented Pas-de-Calais in this assembly and participated in its constitutional work.
French historiography: The study and writing of France’s past, including the methods and interpretations used by historians. Daunou’s historical works and archival offices placed him within the development of French historical scholarship.
Constitution of the Year VIII: The 1799 constitution that established the Consulate and concentrated executive power in Napoleon Bonaparte. It replaced the Directory constitution Daunou had helped draft with a system centered on Napoleon.
François Guizot: A French historian and statesman who served as prime minister under the July Monarchy. Guizot followed Daunou in the political world of postrevolutionary France and shared his historical interests.
Constitution of 1791: France’s first written constitution, establishing a constitutional monarchy during the Revolution. Its enactment forms the first stage of the constitutional upheavals Daunou later helped navigate.
Council of Five Hundred: The lower chamber of France’s legislature under the Constitution of the Year III. Daunou helped draft its governing constitution and later served as a member.
Archives nationales (France): The French national archives, created during the Revolution to collect and preserve state records. Daunou’s administrative reforms helped turn revolutionary record collection into an enduring archival institution.
French Directory: The five-member executive government of France from 1795 to 1799. Daunou’s constitutional design sought a republic governed through the Directory’s institutions.