Biography

• Born on 13th December 1906 in Amsterdam.
• Studied history of French literature at the University of Amsterdam and the Sorbonne in Paris, promoted to Dr. Phil. in 1934, thereafter active as a grammar school teacher.
• Member of Dutch parliament for the Dutch Labour Party from 1939 to 1940.
• From 1942 to 1944 he was detained by the Gestapo; he joined the resistance movement after his release.
• In 1946 he had a significant involvement in the founding of the Union of European Federalists, becoming its first President. He was also among the founding members of the European Movement.
• From 1950 to 1972 he was rector of the College of Europe in Bruges, which he himself had established, and belonged to the professor’s council of the University of Utrecht.
• From 1973 to 1980 he held the chair of Professorship for Cultural History at the University of Leuwen.
• Numerous publications regarding European matters (literature, culture, history, federalism, European union).
• Died on 12th March 1997.