Biography

• Born on 29th June 1886 in Luxembourg.
• Studied Law in Metz, Berlin, Munich, Bonn und Strasbourg and was later conferred a doctorate (LLD).
• With the return of Alsace-Lorraine to France he became a French citizen and in 1919 was elected as a deputé to Parliament on a regional list (initially until 1940); he was arrested by the Gestapo in 1940, but was able to flee in 1942.
• From 1946 bis 1962 he was Representative of the National Assembly. During this time he held several ministries (1946 Minister of Finance, 1948 to 1952 Foreign Minister, 1955 to 1956 Minister of Justice) and in 1947/1948 he was Prime Minister for eight months. In May 1950 he proposed the establishment of a European Coal and Steel Community (so-called Schuman Plan), which gave impetus to the creation of the European Economic Community. He campaigned actively for the German–French reconciliation.
• Together with Monnet he is considered to be one of the founding fathers of the European Union.
• In March 1958 he was elected unanimously as President of the European Assembly, forerunner to the European Parliament; he resigned in 1960 and was appointed Honorary President.
• Died on 4th September 1963.