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Judge David Edward Oral History

The purpose of this oral history is to gather, preserve, and make readily accessible historical information about Judge Edward – who served as a member of the Court of Justice of the European Communities from 1992-2004 – through a collection of video interviews, transcripts of those interviews, published papers, and personal memories.

This oral history allows David Edward to, in effect, “tell his story,” a story that in many respects parallels the rise of the European Union from its 1950s origin as a modest undertaking of six Western European countries to what is widely considered today as the greatest experiment ever in supranational government.

From his birth in a small Scottish town to his service on the Europe Union’s highest court, Judge David Edward’s life and career have been both inspiring and instructive. Indeed, a book published in 2004 in honor of his retirement from the Court of Justice referred to him as “A True European.”

In this oral history, Judge Edward shares his unique perspectives and offers personal observations about his experiences, his career, and the European Union. His life has been marked by service and accomplishment, and his contributions have influenced – and undeniably have opened opportunities for – today’s EU citizens and for all those who will follow.

Don C. Smith
Denver, Colorado USA
August 2006