Jean Monnet Duchêne Sources

Documents from [1911] to [1990]

Identity Statement

HAEU Reference Code
JMDS
Extent and Medium

6 linear meters; 359 dossiers

Fonds Inventory
Reference Archivists

Carr, Mary

Context

Administrative and Biographical History

This collection of material consists of photocopies excerpts of collections which François Duchêne used in writing his book "Jean Monnet - The First Statesman of Interdependence", Norton, 1994. Effectively these documents fromed the background for this biography and therefore resembly chapter by chapter the framework of the book. Duchêne decided to deposit this substantial collection of material in the HAEU, in order to assist other researchers involved in the field of European integration. A contact of deposit was made similar to that which he had previously signed when depositing his interviews with Emile Nöel, former President of the EUI on behalf of the HAEU in December 1989. Duchêne because of his close working relationship with Monnet must be the most qualified to write such a biography and indeed his book had become the "bible" for those researching the achievements of Monnet and his method.
Duchêne's book on Monnet deals primarily on the quarter century between 1938 and 1963, the years when Monnet had his greatest influence. In carrying out his work on the book, Duchêne went to the US and various archives in Western Europe to research the topic, furthermore he interviewed many of the prime movers of the period with links to Monnet. The documents he copied which comprise this collection offer a full perspective on Monnet's critical years in pursuing European unity and also offer a wider angle on the subject of integration and the other personalities, policies and events involved.;
Like another collection of this genre held in the archive, JMAS, it is obvious to see the strong American ingredient in Monnet's career and his relations with top American officials who influenced the turn of events.
Duchêne was helped to his first job, as a leader writer on the Manchester Guardian (1949-52) by Professor RH Tawney, who had taught him at the LSE. This led to the two decisive encounters of his life: the first with a fellow Guardian Journalist, Anne Purves, a hightly 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.
A further 50 files were deposited in the HAEU in 2008 by Kate Duchêne. The documents have been integrated into his collection.

Content and Structure

Abstract

This collection consists of photocopied excerpts of collections taken from various archives and libraries which hold material on Monnet and the "Making of Europe". This set of documents covers the period from the inter-War years to the Rome Treaties and the US-EURATOM Agreement, when Jean Monnet exerted his greatest influence. Also contained in this Fonds are Duchêne's documents concerning his research for the book, book extracts and interviews with individuals relevant to Jean Monnet and Europe.

System of Arrangement

Because this collection is artificial in terms of its creation, i.e. it is made up of excerpts of diverse collections from diverse soures, brought together by Duchêne for the purpose and scope of his research. I have arranged the material into two main divisions: 1. International archival material. 2. François Duchêne's Archival Material. I arranged the first section in amanner which reflecs almost chapter by chapter the biography, and within this unit I then organised the material according to subject matter. I hae place the original record code in every document description from the archival institution where the originals are held, and where it was made known to me.; The second section has again been arranged according to subject matter.

Allied Materials

Fonds Publications
Publications held by the EUI Library and transfered as part of the fonds

Notes

Notes and Remarks

As part of his research Duchêne photocopied sections of the David Bruce Diary, but since the most relevant sections already exist here in the HAEU in the JMAS collections, we only kept those excerpts that don't exist in JMAS. Likewise with the CEAB2 documents Duchêne copied dealing with meetings of the High Authority of the ECSC, March 1953 - June 1955, CEAB 2 (715-726), researchers can look directly at the originals which are held in the HAEU.;
Also included in this deposit were the texts of the interviews which Duchêne had not already sent. Max Kohnstamm, Arthur Hartmann (non communicable), Paul Delouvrier, François Fontain, Peter Blaisse, Christian Pineau, Bertrand Goldschmidt (non communicable), André de Staercke, Albert Coppé, Bernard Clappier and Albert R. Connelly (non communicable).

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