Biography

• Born on 3rd April 1881 in Pievo Tesino (municipality of Trient; Austria/Hungary).
• Studied philosophy as well as Italian and German literature in Vienna, 1905 Promotion to Dr. Phil.
• 1911 to 1918 member of parliament in the Austrian Reichsrat [imperial council]. In 1919 he was co-founder of the Italian People’s Party, for which he acted as member of parliament and party leader from 1921 to 1926. After the party was banned in 1927, he was imprisoned until 1929.
• In 1943 he was co-founder of the Christian Democratic Party, becoming its chairman and general secretary (until 1954). From 1945 to 1953 he held the office of the Italian Prime Minister. He played an active role in the construction of the European institutions involved (Coal and Steal Community, European Council) and was one of the founding fathers of the European Community, participating in its construction.
• Died on 19th August 1954.