Biography

• Born on 25th January 1899 in Schaerbeck near Brussels.
• Studied Law in Brussels and was conferred a doctorate (LLD); he practiced as a lawyer in Brussels from 1921 bis 1931.
• In the period from 1932 to 1966 he was a Member of the Belgian Parliament for the Socialist Party for a total of 30 years; he held several ministries, amongst others he was Foreign Minister on several occasions (1936 to 1938; 1939 to 1945; 1945 to 1947; 1954 to 1957; 1961 to 1966) and Prime Minister (1938 to 1939; 1947 to 1950).
• In 1946 he presided over the first session of the General Assembly of the UN. He drafted the plan for the Belgian–Dutch–Luxemburg union and, as advocate of a European agreement, played a decisive role in the establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community.
• He was Secretary General of Nato from 1957 to 1961.
• Died on 31st July 1972.