Emmanuel Joseph Sieyes

Sieyès published the pamphlet 'What is the Third Estate?', which argued that the Third Estate constituted the nation and should have political power. The pamphlet became a foundational text of the French Revolution.

Sieyès was instrumental in the formation of the National Assembly. He proposed the Tennis Court Oath, in which deputies swore not to disband until a constitution was established.

Sieyès was elected to the National Convention, where he initially voted for the execution of Louis XVI. However, he later distanced himself from the radical Jacobins.

Sieyès conspired with Napoleon Bonaparte to overthrow the Directory. He helped draft the new constitution that established the Consulate, but was soon sidelined by Napoleon.