Charles-Henri Sanson

Charles-Henri Sanson
Imaginary portrait of Charles-Henri Sanson by Eugène Lampsonius in "An Episode during the Terror" by Balzac.
Born	(1739-02-15)15 February 1739 Paris, France
Died	4 July 1806(1806-07-04) (aged 67) Paris, France
Nationality	French
Occupation(s)	Royal executioner of France, high executioner of the First French Republic
Known for	Performing the execution of Louis XVI

Charles-Henri Sanson, full title Chevalier Charles-Henri Sanson de Longval (French pronunciation: [ʃaʁl ɑ̃ʁi sɑ̃sɔ̃]; 15 February 1739 – 4 July 1806), was the royal executioner of France during the reign of King Louis XVI, as well as high executioner of the First French Republic. He administered capital punishment in Paris for over 40 years. By his own hand he executed nearly 3,000 people, including Robert-François Damiens who attempted to assassinate King Louis XV. Sanson was the executioner of Louis XVI.