Konrad Adenauer to a central position in Europe, presiding over the German Economic Miracle. He was a driving force behind West Germany becoming the first German state to re-establish a national military (the "Bundeswehr") in 1955. He came to terms with France, which made possible the economic unification of Western Europe. Adenauer opposed rival East Germany and made his nation a member of NATO and a firm ally of the United States. Adenauer, who was Chancellor until age 87, was dubbed "Der Alte" ("the elder"). British politician and historian Roy Jenkins says he was "the oldest statesman ever to function in elected
Richard West (Lord Chancellor of Ireland) the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, see http://www.oxforddnb.com/index/101029094/ Richard West (Lord Chancellor of Ireland) Richard West (c. 1691 – 3 December 1726) was an 18th-century barrister, judge, playwright and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1721 to 1726. He was Lord Chancellor of Ireland from 1725 to 1726, succeeding Alan Brodrick, 1st Viscount Midleton. West was born in London, son of Richard West senior, a merchant (who outlived him). West was called to the Bar in 1714 and became one of its leaders in a remarkably short time; he was made King's Counsel and a Bencher of