An Outstanding Luxembourg Diplomat

Hugues Le Gallais is one of the great absentees in recent works on Luxembourg history. Born into the Luxembourg bourgeoisie, he began his career as a representative of Arbed abroad and then entered the diplomatic service. From 1940 to 1958, he represented Luxembourg’s interests in Washington, a diplomatic post of key importance for Luxembourg, especially during the Second World War. During the four years in which the Grand Duchy was occupied by the German invaders, he pleaded its cause with verve and skill and worked successfully to bring Grand Duchess Charlotte and her ministers to America. His mission there could be summarized in the phrase “put Luxembourg on the map.” Using largely unpublished sources, Paul Schmit retraces in detail the life of this colorful figure.