The founding of the MFO in a few dates
1941: Meeting between René Cassin, Alfred Zimmern (New College), H. A. R. Gibb (St John’s) and Claude Schaeffer (St John’s) in London
1943-1944: Discussions about a 'Centre for French Studies'
8 September 1944: The Provisional Government appoints Claude Schaeffer as negotiator between Paris and Oxford
October 1944: Richard Livingstone appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford
28 May 1945: The Hebdomadal Council gives its approval to the project
23 July 1945: The Council of the University of Paris gives its approval to the project
5 April 1946: Decree establishing the Parisian steering committee
15 June1946: First meeting of the Parisian Steering Committee. Appointment of Henri Fluchère as director
22 October 1946: Promulgation of the decree by the University of Oxford (Congregation)
23 October 1946: Publication in The Oxford Gazette
October-December 1946: First term at 28 Beaumont Street
14 May 1947: Decree establishing the Oxonian Committee
15 December 1947: Move to ‘The Shrubbery’, 72 Woodstock Road (St Hugh's)
4 June 1948: Official opening by Lord Simon, High Stewart
1956: Tenth anniversary. Garden Party attended by Jean Cocteau and W. H. Auden
28 November 1956: Proposed sale of Norham Road land by St John's
19 May 1959: Signature of the final deed of sale
July 1963: Move from Woodstock Road to Westbury Lodge, end of Henri Fluchère's mandate, arrival of Auguste Anglès
15 June 1962: Foundation stone laid by Harold Macmillan
July 1963: Move from Woodstock Road to Westbury Lodge, end of Henri Fluchère's mandate, arrival of Auguste Anglès
October 1966: Arrival of François Bédarida
3 March 1967: 'Topping' out ceremony to mark the completion of the Norham Road building
15 October 1967: The first students take up residence in Norham Road
18 November 1967: Inauguration of the building by André Malraux
List of directors
1. 1946-1963: Henri Fluchère
2. 1963-1966: Auguste Anglès
3. 1966-1970: François Bédarida
4. 1971-1973: Jean Lequiller
5. December 1973 - September 1974: Interim of the bursar, Jeanne Gandrey de Quercize
6. 1974-1981: Henri Bouillier
7. 1981-1984: Bruno Neveu
8. 1984-1991: Monica Charlot
9. 1991-1994: Maurice Lévy
10. 1994-2000: Jean-Claude Vatin
11. 2000-2003: Jean-Claude Sergeant
12. 2003-2008: Alexis Tadié
13. 2008-2012: Luc Borot
14. 2012-2016: Anne Simonin
15. 2016-2020: Frédéric Thibault-Starzyk
16. 2020 – : Pascal Marty
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