William I (Willem Frederik; 24 August 1772 – 12 December 1843) was King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg from 1815 until his abdication in 1840. Born as the son of William V, Prince of Orange, the last stadtholder of the Dutch Republic, and Wilhelmina of Prussia, William experienced significant political upheavals early in life. He fought against the French invasion during the Flanders campaign, and after the Batavian Revolution in 1795, his family went into exile. He briefly ruled the Principality of Nassau-Orange-Fulda before Napoleon's French troops' occupation forced him out of power. Following the defeat of Napoleon in 1814, William was invited back to the Netherlands, where he proclaimed himself Sovereign Prince of the United Netherlands.
Prince Willem Frederik becomes monarch of Netherlands
William I (Willem Frederik; 24 August 1772 – 12 December 1843) was King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg from 1815 until his abdication in 1840.
Historical Significance
William I (Willem Frederik; 24 August 1772 – 12 December 1843) was King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg from 1815 until his abdication in 1840.
Events Before
Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" is published by Thomas Egerton in the United Kingdom
Pride and Prejudice is the second published novel (but third to be written) by English author Jane Austen, written when she was aged 20–21, and later published in 1813. A novel of manners, it follows…
John Tyler (23) later 10th US President, marries 1st wife Letitia Christian Tyler (22)
John Tyler (23) later 10th US President, marries 1st wife Letitia Christian Tyler (22)
Austrian composer Johann Nepomuk Hummel (35) weds German opera singer Elisabeth Röckel (20) in Vienna, Austria, until hi
Austrian composer Johann Nepomuk Hummel (35) weds German opera singer Elisabeth Röckel (20) in Vienna, Austria, until his death in 1837
South American independence leader Simón Bolívar enters Mérida, leading the invasion of Venezuela, and is proclaimed El
South American independence leader Simón Bolívar enters Mérida, leading the invasion of Venezuela, and is proclaimed El Libertador (The Liberator)
American naval commander Oliver Hazard Perry defeats the British in the Battle of Lake Erie
Oliver Hazard Perry (August 23, 1785 – August 23, 1819) was a United States Navy officer from South Kingstown, Rhode Island.
Events After
Leading Romantic poet Lord Byron (27) marries Anne Isabella Milbanke (22) by special licence, at Seaham Hall in County D
Leading Romantic poet Lord Byron (27) marries Anne Isabella Milbanke (22) by special licence, at Seaham Hall in County Durham
Burned US Library of Congress re-established with Thomas Jefferson's 6,500 volumes
Burned US Library of Congress re-established with Thomas Jefferson's 6,500 volumes
Napoléon Bonaparte and his supporters leave Elba to start a 100-day reconquest of France
Napoléon Bonaparte and his supporters leave Elba to start a 100-day reconquest of France
Napoleon Bonaparte enters Paris after his escape from Elba and begins his 100-day rule
Napoleon Bonaparte enters Paris after his escape from Elba and begins his 100-day rule
Mount Tambora in the Dutch East Indies experiences a cataclysmic eruption, one of the most powerful in history, killing
Mount Tambora in the Dutch East Indies experiences a cataclysmic eruption, one of the most powerful in history, killing around 71,000 people and causing a global volcanic winter
More from the 1810s
Leading Romantic poet Lord Byron (27) marries Anne Isabella Milbanke (22) by special licence, at Seaham Hall in County D
Leading Romantic poet Lord Byron (27) marries Anne Isabella Milbanke (22) by special licence, at Seaham Hall in County Durham
Field Marshal Blücher's troops cross the Rhine at Kaub
Field Marshal Blücher's troops cross the Rhine at Kaub
US Vice President John C. Calhoun (28) weds Floride Bonneau (19)
US Vice President John C. Calhoun (28) weds Floride Bonneau (19)
French church annuls marriage of Napoleon I and Empress Joséphine
Joséphine Bonaparte was the first wife of Emperor Napoleon I and as such Empress of the French from 18 May 1804 until their marriage was annulled on 10 January 1810.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on March 20, 1814?
- William I (Willem Frederik; 24 August 1772 – 12 December 1843) was King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg from 1815 until his abdication in 1840. Born as the son of William V, Prince of Orange, the last stadtholder of the Dutch Republic, and Wilhelmina of Prussia, William experienced significant political upheavals early in life. He fought against the French invasion during the Flanders campaign, and after the Batavian Revolution in 1795, his family went into exile.
- Why is Prince Willem Frederik becomes monarch of Netherlands significant?
- William I (Willem Frederik; 24 August 1772 – 12 December 1843) was King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg from 1815 until his abdication in 1840.