Was Robespierre the most important figure during the revolutionary period in France?

Variations on this question can be found in all A Level courses tackling French history from the 1780s to the end of the Napoleonic era. Maximilian Robespierre has remained a central figure in public and academic discourse about the French Revolution, and therefore it is valid to ask whether he was the most important figure during this period.

To answer this question effectively, one must consider why his name has endured in narratives about the revolution, but also why amongst the members of the Committee of Public Safety during the early 1790s his name stood out. It would be important to consider with the student the following "sub-questions", to help them to work towards their own answer to a question which ultimately has no single solution:

What do we mean by the "revolutionary period"? Discussing this question helps the student to be more precise about the stages of the revolution, and helps them to piece together a "meta-narrative" for the period.

Was Robespierre's influence the same throughout all parts of "France"? Discussing this question encourages the student to approach a key theme of the period, the differing histories and experiencesof Paris and the regions, with greater precision. 

Which other figures might be considered to hold a similar level of importance? This question allows the student to consider other important actors in the revolutionary period, and compare and contrast them to Robespierre. 

What was it about Robespierre's ideology and actions that led to him having such a profound impact on the course of French history during the early 1790s? This encourages the student to draw on their specific knowledge about Robespierre to provide evidence to support their answer.