Jean-Paul Marat was born Jean-Paul Mara on 24 May 1743 in Boudry, in the Prussian Principality of Neuchâtel. He was the first of five children in a family of moderate means. His father, Jean Mara, originally from Sardinia, was a Mercedarian friar who later converted to Calvinism and immigrated to Geneva. Marat's mother, Louise Cabrol, had Huguenot roots. The family moved to Neuchâtel in 1754, where Marat received his early education. He left home at 16 to pursue further studies in France, eventually adopting the surname Marat.Marat's early career included informal medical practice in London, where he mingled with artists and intellectuals. He published his first political work, 'Chains of Slavery,' in 1774, criticizing the English constitution and advocating for popular sovereignty. His writings earned him recognition among patriotic societies. He returned to Paris in 1776, where he gained a reputation as a physician and was appointed to the court of the Comte d'Artois.Marat's scientific contributions included works on fire, electricity, and light, with notable publications such as 'Recherches Physiques sur le Feu' (1780) and 'Découvertes sur la Lumière' (1780). His theories often contradicted established scientific views, leading to conflicts with prominent scientists like Antoine Lavoisier. Despite this, he continued to publish and conduct experiments until he resigned from his court position in 1783 to focus on scientific research.As the French Revolution began, Marat shifted his focus to political activism. He published 'Offrande à la Patrie' in February 1789, advocating for the Third Estate. He founded the newspaper 'L'Ami du peuple' in September 1789, where he criticized various revolutionary leaders and institutions. His radical views often put him at odds with more moderate factions, leading to periods of exile and hiding.Marat was elected to the National Convention in September 1792. He supported the execution of Louis XVI and vehemently opposed the Girondins, whom he viewed as threats to the revolution. His calls for violence against perceived enemies intensified, resulting in his arrest in April 1793. He was acquitted of charges related to inciting violence, but his health deteriorated due to a chronic skin condition.On 13 July 1793, Marat was assassinated by Charlotte Corday, a Girondin sympathizer, while he was in a medicinal bath. Corday was executed four days later. Following his death, Marat was celebrated as a martyr of the revolution. His funeral was attended by the National Convention, and he was memorialized in Jacques-Louis David's painting 'The Death of Marat.' His remains were later transferred to the Panthéon, and he was venerated as a revolutionary icon, with his legacy enduring in various forms until the Thermidorian Reaction, which led to a decline in his reputation.