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Joseph Luns
Dutch politician and diplomat (1911–2002) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joseph Marie Antoine Hubert Luns (28 August 1911 – 17 July 2002) was a Dutch politician and diplomat.
Quick Facts His Excellency, 5th Secretary General of NATO ...
Joseph Luns | |
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![]() Joseph Luns in 1979 | |
5th Secretary General of NATO | |
In office 1 October 1971 – 25 June 1984 | |
Preceded by | Manlio Brosio |
Succeeded by | Lord Carrington |
Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
In office 13 October 1956 – 6 July 1971 | |
Prime Minister | Willem Drees (1956–1958) Louis Beel (1958–1959) Jan de Quay (1959–1963) Victor Marijnen (1963–1965) Jo Cals (1965–1966) Jelle Zijlstra (1966–1967) Piet de Jong (1967–1971) |
Preceded by | Johan Beyen |
Succeeded by | Norbert Schmelzer |
Member of the House of Representatives | |
In office 11 May 1971 – 1 October 1971 | |
In office 23 February 1967 – 5 April 1967 | |
In office 3 July 1956 – 3 October 1956 | |
Minister for United Nations Affairs | |
In office 2 September 1952 – 13 October 1956 | |
Prime Minister | Willem Drees |
Preceded by | Eelco van Kleffens (1947) |
Succeeded by | Office Discontinued |
Personal details | |
Born | Joseph Antoine Marie Hubert Luns (1911-08-28)28 August 1911 Rotterdam, Netherlands |
Died | 17 July 2002(2002-07-17) (aged 90) Brussels, Belgium |
Nationality | Dutch |
Political party | Catholic People's Party (1945–1974) |
Other political affiliations | Roman Catholic State Party (1938–1945) |
Spouse(s) |
Baroness Lia van Heemstra
(m. 1939; died 1990) |
Children | 2 |
Alma mater | University of Amsterdam (Bachelor of Laws, Doctor of Law) Leiden University (Master of Laws) London School of Economics (Bachelor of Economics) |
Occupation | Politician · Diplomat · Civil servant |
Signature | ![]() |
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Luns was one of the most popular Dutch politicians of the time. He served a total of eight cabinets and stayed in office nineteen years, becoming the longest-serving Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2 September 1952 until 6 July 1971. He retired from Dutch politics and became the 5th (and also longest-serving) Secretary General of NATO for 13 years from 1 October 1971 until 25 June 1984.