# Henri La Fontaine > Belgian lawyer, politician and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate (1854-1943) **Wikidata**: [Q190894](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q190894) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_La_Fontaine) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/henri-la-fontaine ## Summary Henri La Fontaine (1854–1943) was a Belgian lawyer, politician, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate (1913) known for his advocacy of international cooperation, pacifism, and women's rights. He co-founded the Union of International Associations and the Mundaneum, pioneering early information science and documentation systems. ## Biography - Born: April 22, 1854, Brussels, Belgium - Nationality: Belgium - Education: Université libre de Bruxelles (law) - Known for: Founding the Mundaneum and Union of International Associations, Nobel Peace Prize advocacy - Employer(s): Université libre de Bruxelles, Mundaneum, Union of International Associations - Field(s): Law, political science, international relations, pacifism ## Contributions Henri La Fontaine co-founded the Mundaneum (1920) and the Union of International Associations (1907) with Paul Otlet, creating early documentation systems for global knowledge. He established the International Institute of Intellectual Cooperation (1922) to promote peace through education and information exchange. La Fontaine’s work laid the groundwork for modern information science and international cooperation. His Nobel Peace Prize (1913) recognized his efforts to resolve international conflicts through diplomacy and education. ## FAQs ### Q: What was Henri La Fontaine’s most significant achievement? A: Henri La Fontaine co-founded the Mundaneum and the Union of International Associations, pioneering early documentation systems for global knowledge and international cooperation. ### Q: Why did Henri La Fontaine receive the Nobel Peace Prize? A: Henri La Fontaine was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1913 for his advocacy of international cooperation, pacifism, and women’s rights, particularly through his work with the Mundaneum and Union of International Associations. ### Q: What was the Mundaneum, and what was its purpose? A: The Mundaneum was an institution founded by Henri La Fontaine and Paul Otlet in 1920, aimed at gathering and organizing the world’s knowledge through a massive card catalog system, serving as an early precursor to modern information retrieval. ### Q: What role did Henri La Fontaine play in international relations? A: Henri La Fontaine was a key figure in early international relations, co-founding the Union of International Associations and the Mundaneum to promote peace, education, and information exchange among nations. ### Q: What was Henri La Fontaine’s educational background? A: Henri La Fontaine studied law at the Université libre de Bruxelles, where he developed his legal and political expertise. ## Why They Matter Henri La Fontaine’s work laid the foundation for modern international relations, information science, and pacifism. His co-founding of the Mundaneum and Union of International Associations demonstrated the power of organized knowledge in fostering global cooperation. His Nobel Peace Prize (1913) recognized his efforts to resolve international conflicts through diplomacy and education. La Fontaine’s vision of a universal documentation system influenced the development of modern search engines and digital libraries. His advocacy for women’s rights and international cooperation continues to inspire efforts in global governance and peacebuilding. ## Notable For - Co-founder of the Mundaneum (1920) and Union of International Associations (1907) - Nobel Peace Prize laureate (1913) for his advocacy of international cooperation - Pioneer of early information science and documentation systems - Founder of the International Institute of Intellectual Cooperation (1922) - Advocate for women’s rights and pacifism in international relations ## Body ### Early Life and Education Henri Marie La Fontaine was born on April 22, 1854, in Brussels, Belgium. He studied law at the Université libre de Bruxelles, where he developed his legal and political expertise. La Fontaine’s early work focused on international law and diplomacy, setting the stage for his later contributions to global governance. ### Professional Career and Affiliations La Fontaine held a long-standing affiliation with the Université libre de Bruxelles, where he taught and conducted research in law and political science. He was a central figure in the Union of International Associations and the Mundaneum, where he worked alongside Paul Otlet to develop early documentation systems for global knowledge. ### The Mundaneum and Union of International Associations La Fontaine co-founded the Mundaneum in 1920 and the Union of International Associations in 1907 with Paul Otlet. The Mundaneum served as an archive for the world’s knowledge, using a massive card catalog system to organize information. The Union of International Associations focused on documenting international organizations and associations, promoting cooperation among nations. ### Nobel Peace Prize and Advocacy La Fontaine received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1913 for his advocacy of international cooperation, pacifism, and women’s rights. His work with the Mundaneum and Union of International Associations demonstrated the power of organized knowledge in fostering global cooperation. La Fontaine’s efforts to resolve international conflicts through diplomacy and education continue to influence modern peacebuilding efforts. ### Legacy and Death Henri La Fontaine died on May 14, 1943, in Brussels, Belgium. His legacy lives on through the Mundaneum, Union of International Associations, and the International Institute of Intellectual Cooperation, which he founded. La Fontaine’s vision of a universal documentation system and his advocacy for international cooperation continue to inspire efforts in global governance and peacebuilding. ## References 1. ODIS 2. BnF authorities 3. Integrated Authority File 4. Czech National Authority Database 5. Find a Grave 6. [The Nobel Peace Prize 1913. nobelprize.org](https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/1913/summary/) 7. [Table showing prize amounts. Nobel Foundation. 2019](https://www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2019/04/prize-amounts-2020.pdf) 8. International Standard Name Identifier 9. Virtual International Authority File 10. CiNii Research 11. [Source](http://archives.mundaneum.org/en/henri-la-fontaines-personal-papers) 12. SNAC 13. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie 14. Croatian Encyclopedia 15. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 16. nobelprize.org