Robert Schuman was a French statesman born on June 29, 1886, in Luxembourg. He played a crucial role in European integration after World War II and is often regarded as one of the founding fathers of the European Union. Schuman served as France's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Prime Minister during the 1940s and 1950s. In 1950, he proposed the Schuman Declaration, which called for the creation of a European Coal and Steel Community. This initiative aimed to foster economic cooperation between France and Germany, helping to prevent future conflicts. Schuman's vision laid the groundwork for the eventual establishment of the EU.