Claire Lacombe

Claire Lacombe

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laire Lacombe, nicknamed "Red Rosa", was an actress in her early life, but is best known for her contributions during the French Revolution. Though it was only for a few years, Lacombe was a female revolutionary and a founding member of the Society of Revolutionary Republican Women.

Lacombe was born in the provincial town of Pamiers in southwestern France. She became an actress at a young age and appeared in theatrical productions in the provinces before arriving in Paris in 1792. She was not an outstanding success in the theater, and she was not entirely happy with her life. The acting company that Lacombe worked for moved from town to town and sometimes went to castles and the country houses of aristocrats. This probably had an influence in her decision to quit the company to become a revolutionary.

In the insurrection of 10 August, Lacombe fought with the rebels during the storming of the Tuileries. She was shot through the arm but kept fighting on, earning herself the lifelong sobriquet, "Heroine of August Tenth." For her bravery, she was awarded a civic crown by the victorious fédérés.

Lacombe became a frequent attendee at meetings of the Cordeliers Club through which she became involved with the most radical elements of the Revolution. In February, 1793, Lacombe and another female revolutionary, Pauline Léon, founded the militant Society of Revolutionary Republican Women. This group – also known as the Republican Revolutionary Society, or “Société des Républicaines-Révolutionnaires” – was composed chiefly of working-class women. Despite the deeply entrenched chauvinism of the time, Lacombe met a few revolutionary men who fought for women's rights. One of these men was Theophile Leclerc, with whom she lived for a while – until he left her to marry Pauline Léon.

In the Reign of Terror, the enragés were suppressed along with most other extremist groups, including Lacombe's. Barred in 1794 from any political activity, she considered returning to the theater. In April, on the night she was supposed to leave for a theater in Dunkirk, Lacombe was arrested. For the next sixteen months she was moved from prison to prison.

Lacombe was finally released on 18 August 1795. She went back to the theater but quit again after three months. Lacombe disappeared without a trace after 1798.