Brittan, Leon (1939-2015), served as a commissioner of the European Community (now called the European Union) from 1988 to 1994. He had been the United Kingdom’s secretary of state for trade and industry from 1985 until he resigned in 1986. His previous government positions in the United Kingdom included chief secretary to the Treasury from 1981 to 1983 and home secretary from 1983 to 1985.
Brittan was born in London on Sept. 25, 1939. He was educated at Haberdashers’ Aske’s School and at Cambridge and Yale universities. He became a barrister (lawyer qualified to argue cases in the highest courts) in 1962. Brittan became a member of the British Parliament in 1974. He was knighted in 1989, becoming Sir Leon Brittan. Brittan was made a baron in 2000 and became known as Lord Brittan. He died on Jan. 21, 2015.
