Named in memory of French politician and orator Honoré-Gabriel Mirabeau (1749–1791), one of the greatest figures of the early French Revolution. In 1789 he was elected deputy at the States General to represent Marseille and Aix-en-Provence. From May to October 1789 he played a decisive part in the battle between the Third Estate (common people) and the privileged orders (clergy and nobility). This made him very popular in Paris, but intrigues with the court and his Machiavellian game in general led him to political defeat, since he was too much a monarchist for the revolution and too revolutionary for the monarchy. However, he was given a magnificent funeral at the new church of Sainte-Geneviève, which, in honor of him, was converted into the Panthéon, for the burial of great men. (M 34345) _ _.