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

Charles-Henri Sanson, full title Chevalier Charles-Henri Sanson de Longval (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 the city of Paris for over forty years. By his own hand he executed nearly 3,000 people, including Robert-François Damiens, who attempted to assassinate King Louis XV. Sanson would later execute King Louis XVI.