Antoine Joseph Santerre, a French revolutionist, born in Paris, March 16, 1752, died there, Feb. 6, 1809. He inherited from his father a large brewery in the faubourg St. Antoine. In 1789 he was an elector and a commander in the national guard, and took part in the attack on the Bastile, and subsequently in the disturbances on the Champ de Mars (1791), after which he fled to escape arrest. The amnesty granted after the king's adoption of the constitution enabled him to renew his agitation, and he led the populace to the Tui-leries on June 20, 1792, played a conspicuous part in the insurrection of Aug. 10, and became chief commander of the national guard of Paris, with the rank of general of division. In this capacity he escorted Louis XVI. to the Temple and to the guillotine, and ordered the drums to beat to drown the king's voice, which gave him an unfounded reputation for cruelty. Subsequently he commanded a division in Vendée, where he showed great incapacity, and was signally routed at Coron, near Chollet, Sept. 18, 1793. Returning to Paris in disgrace, he was imprisoned as an Or-leanist, but released after the fall of Robespierre. Owing to his influence with the mob, he was confirmed in his rank by Napoleon, but was not actively employed.

He ended his life in comparative poverty. - See Santerre, sa vie publique et privée, by Carro (Paris, 1847).