Robert Schuman

:For the German composer, see Robert Schumann

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Robert Schuman (29 June 1886 – 4 September 1963) was a noted French politician, a Christian Democrat (M.R.P.) who is regarded as one of the founders of the European Union.

Related Topics:
29 June - 1886 - 4 September - 1963 - French - European Union

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Though Schuman was born in Clausen, Luxembourg to a French father and a Luxembourgoise mother he inherited German citizenship due to the Prussian annexation of Alsace-Lorraine in 1871 (of which his father was a native). His place of birth was restored by the European Parliament and can be visited; as can his home in Scy-Chazelle just outside Metz.

Related Topics:
Clausen - Luxembourg

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Schuman's pursued his secondary education at the Athénée secondary school in Luxembourg, a former Jesuit College. The Luxembourg secondary school diploma was not valid in Germany and he had to sit for the Abitur in Metz. His university education took place in the German education system. He received his law degree, after studying at the University of Bonn, the University of Munich, the Humboldt University in Berlinand in Strasburg.

Related Topics:
Athénée - Abitur - University of Bonn - Humboldt University - Berlin

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After the death of his mother in a coaching accident Schuman briefly considered the religious life, but resolved to pursue a lay apostolate. He remained single throughout his life. He became a lawyer, and was judged medically unfit to serve in the German army during the first world war. He was a member of the city council of Metz as well as the German Katholikentag. After the First World War, Alsace-Lorraine was retaken by France and Schuman became active in French politics. In 1919 he was first elected as deputy to parliament on a regional list later serving as the deputy for Thionville until 1958 with an interval during the war years. He had a major contribution to drafting and parliamentary passage of Lex Schuman in French parliament. Schuman investigated and patiently uncovered postwar corruption in Lorraine steel industries.

Related Topics:
First World War - Alsace-Lorraine - 1919 - Thionville - 1958 - Lex Schuman

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In 1940 Schuman was arrested by the Gestapo but escaped in 1942 and joined the French Resistance.

Related Topics:
1940 - Gestapo - 1942 - French Resistance

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After the war Schuman rose to great prominence. He was Minister of Finance, then briefly Prime Minister from 1947-1948 becoming Foreign Minister in the latter year. On 9 May 1950, seeking to remove the main causes of post-war Franco-German tension and adopting a scheme of Jean Monnet, Schuman invited the Germans to jointly manage their coal and steel industries. This formed the basis of the European Coal and Steel Community, which eventually evolved into the European Union. This became known as the Schuman Declaration, and to this day 9 May is designated Europe Day.

Related Topics:
Prime Minister - Foreign Minister - 9 May - 1950 - Jean Monnet - European Coal and Steel Community - Schuman Declaration - Europe Day

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Schuman later served as Minister of Justice and first President of the European Parliamentary Assembly which bestowed on him by acclamation the title 'Father of Europe'. In 1958 he received the Karlspreis, an Award by the German city of Aachen to people who contributed to the European idea and European peace, commemorating Charlemagne, ruler of what is today France and Germany, who resided and is buried at Aachen. He was also a knight of the order of Pope Pius IX.

Related Topics:
Karlspreis - Aachen - Charlemagne

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Schuman spoke French with a slight German accent reflecting his origins in Luxembourg and Lorraine.

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Though modest and un-ostentatious, Schuman was an intensely religious man and was strongly influenced by the writings of Pius XII, St Thomas Aquinas and Jacques Maritain. He may be recognized as a saint of the Catholic Church. It was announced on 15 May 2004 that the diocesan investigation of the cause of beatification would soon conclude.

Related Topics:
Saint - Catholic Church - 15 May - 2004 - Beatification

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