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Alfred GrosserGerman-French publicist, sociologist and political scientist
Date of Birth: 01.02.1925
Country:  France |
Content:
Early Life and Education
Alfred Grosser(born February 1, 1925) is a renowned German-French publicist, sociologist, and political scientist. His early life was marked by the political turmoil of pre-World War II Germany and subsequent emigration to France.
Grosser's father, a Jewish physician, instilled in him a sense of social justice. In 1933, the family fled Nazi persecution to France, where Grosser obtained French citizenship in 1937. Despite his lack of formal schooling, he earned a bachelor's degree in 1942 and went on to study German literature at the University of Aix-Marseille.
Academic Career
Shift to Political ScienceGrosser initially pursued a career in German studies, earning an Agrégation in 1947. However, in 1955, he transitioned to political science and became a professor at the prestigious Institut d'Études Politiques (Sciences Po) in Paris.
He also held research and teaching positions at institutions such as the National Foundation for Political Science, Johns Hopkins University, and Stanford University. Grosser's research and writings focused primarily on Franco-German relations and the post-war period.
Contributions to Franco-German Reconciliation
"One of Four Musketeers"Grosser's intellectual work played a significant role in fostering understanding and reconciliation between France and Germany after the war. As one of the "Four Musketeers," directors of the National Foundation for Political Science, he helped shape French political discourse on European integration.
Through his numerous writings, lectures, and travels, Grosser advocated for close ties between the two countries, including the signing of the Élysée Treaty in 1963. He believed that reconciliation was essential for peace and stability in Europe.
Personal Life
Atheist with Christian AffinitiesGrosser has described himself as an "atheist close to Christianity." He married Anne-Marie Jourset in 1959, and they had four children. Grosser remained politically active throughout his later years, endorsing Emmanuel Macron in the 2017 French presidential election.
