William I

William I (1772–1843), king of the Netherlands (1815–40) and son of William V, Prince of Orange and last governor of the Dutch Republic. After the French invaded the Dutch Republic and ousted William V in 1795, William lived in England and Prussia (northern Germany) until 1812. In 1813 the Dutch successfully rebelled against French rule, and in 1815 William was named king of the Netherlands, which then included Belgium, Liege, and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. In 1830 the Belgians demanded independence from the Netherlands, but William I refused to accede to the separation. Due in part to public disapproval of his handling of the Belgium question, William I abdicated in 1840.

See also: Netherlands.