Jean Monnet

Though never elected to public office, French diplomat and political economist Jean Monnet (1888-1979) played a hugely influential role behind the scenes of European and American governments and, as founder of the Action Committee for the United States of Europe and the first leader of a European executive body (the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community), is now widely regarded as the chief architect of European unity. His crucial influence on the development of the EU is...See more

Though never elected to public office, French diplomat and political economist Jean Monnet (1888-1979) played a hugely influential role behind the scenes of European and American governments and, as founder of the Action Committee for the United States of Europe and the first leader of a European executive body (the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community), is now widely regarded as the chief architect of European unity. His crucial influence on the development of the EU is commemorated today in the Jean Monnet Programme of the EU's Directorate-General for Education and Culture, which promotes knowledge of European integration across the world. Richard Mayne (1926-2009) was a journalist, broadcaster and writer who joined the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community in 1956 and became adviser to Jean Monnet. He was later the chief representative of the European Commission. See less