European University Institute Library

Jean Monnet Duchêne Sources, [Collection], 1911-1990

As part of his research, Duchêne photocopied sections of the David Bruce Diary, but since the most relevant sections already exist in the HAEU in the JMAS collections, only those excerpts that do not exist in JMAS have been kept. Likewise with the CEAB2 documents, Duchêne copied those dealing with meetings of the High Authority of the ECSC, March 1953 - June 1955, CEAB 2 (715-726)Descriptions are the property of the European University Institute (Historical Archives of the European Union), but can be freely used provided that reference is made to the source. Described by Mary Carr

Duchêne was a bi-lingual British and Swiss national who worked with Jean Monnet first as spokesman for US and British interests in the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community, 1952-1953 and later as his Chef de Cabinet at the Action Committee for the United States of Europe, 1958-1963. His relationship with Professor RH Tawney, who had taught him at the London School of Economics, led to the two decisive encounters of his life: the first with a fellow Guardian Journalist, Anne Purves, a highly talented writer who became his wife; and the second with Monnet, who read Duchêne's trenchant articles on the economic and political challenges facing a ruined continent and invited the 25-year old to join him in planning the new Europe. As a key adviser to Jean Monnet, the father of European unification, François Duchêne was present at the laying of the foundation stone of the European Union, and at the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community where he was English language information officer and Monnet as president. When Monnet returned to Paris in 1955 to advance the next stage of the EU, Duchêne followed, working until 1958 both as a correspondent for the Economist and an adviser in Monnet's core team. In 1969 he was appointed Director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a post he held until 1975. He was selected as Director of the European Research Centre at Sussex University from 1974-1982. In these roles, he was central to the debate on Europe's future, East-West relations and many other aspects of international affairs, maintaining close contact with numerous statesmen, including Zbigniew Brzezinski and other leading figures in Washington.

Historical Archives of the European Union (HAEU), Jean Monnet Duchêne Sources (JMDS)

Unrestricted access

6 linear meters, 359 files.

Documentation annexed to the fonds includes: photocopies sections of books for the biography of Jean Monnet, book extracts, diplomatic documents, issues of FRUS (Foreign Relations of the US) series, books and correspondence on European integration and world history.

(OCoLC)827952687