Charles Henri Sanson, full title Chevalier Charles-Henri Sanson de Longval (February 15, 1739 - July 4, 1806) was the Royal Executioner of France in the court of King Louis XVI and High Executioner of the First French Republic. He administered capital punishment in the city of Paris for over forty years, and by his own hand executed nearly 3,000 people, including the King himself. Charles Henri Sanson was the fourth in a six-generation family dynasty of executioners. (Wikipedia)

I am so grateful to Wikipedia--without it I would never keep up with Rapaire's eclectic meanderings.


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