Gustaf V of Sweden
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Gustaf V (Oscar Gustaf Adolf) (June 16, 1858 – October 29, 1950) was King of Sweden from 1907 until his death. He was the eldest son of King Oscar II of Sweden and Norway and Sophia of Nassau.
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[edit] Early life
Gustaf V was born in Drottningholm Palace and at birth was created Duke of Värmland. On December 8, 1907 he succeeded his father on the Swedish throne, which had been separated from the Norwegian throne two years earlier.
He married Princess Victoria of Baden on September 20, 1881. She was the granddaughter of Sofia of Sweden, and her marriage to Gustaf V united by a future real blood link (and not only so-called adoption) the reigning Bernadotte dynasty with the former royal house of Holstein-Gottorp that sometimes called itself Vasa. At the death of her brother, Victoria became the heiress general of Kings Adolf Frederick, Gustaf III and Gustaf IV of Sweden. Gustaf himself was a descendant of the original House of Vasa, of Gustaf I through both his mother Sophia of Nassau and his grandmother Josephine of Leuchtenberg.
[edit] Public life
Gustaf V was the last Swedish king to intervene directly in the politics of the country, in 1914 on the disputes over defence budgets. He was a conservative man, who did not approve of the democratic movement and the demands for workers' rights. Gustaf V was also the last Swedish king to be Commander-in-Chief of the Swedish Armed Forces between 1907 and 1939.
Gustaf V had German sympathies during World War I. His political stance during WWI was highly influenced by his dominant wife Victoria of Baden, who felt a strong connection to her homeland Germany. Both the king and Prince Gustaf Adolf, had socialized with certain Nazis leaders before World War II, though arguably for diplomatic purposes. Gustav V attempted to convince Hitler during a visit to Berlin to soften his persecution of the Jews, according to historian Jörgen Weibull. (Weibull, Bernadottes on Sweden's Throne) [1]. He was also noted for appealing to the leader of Hungary to save its Jews "in the name of humanity." [2] At the behest of president Roosevelt, Gustav V appealed to Hitler for peace negotiations in 1938, "in the interest of peace". [3]
According to Prime minister Hansson the king had, during a private conversation, threatened to abdicate if the government did not approve of the German request for transitation of one armed division from northern Norway to northern Finland in June 1941. However the accuracy of this is debated, and the king's stated intention if he did in fact make this threat was to avoid conflict with Germany, according to Hansson (Wahlbäck, Regeringen och kriget. Ur statsrådens dagböcker 1939-41). [4] According to Ernst Wigforss, both Gustav V and Prince Gustaf Adolf attempted to persuade the Swedish government to allow the Allies to transport troops through Sweden, though this was rejected by the government because it was felt it would cause retributions from Germany. [5]
[edit] Personal life
Gustaf V was tall and thin with blonde hair. He wore pince-nez eyeglasses and sported a pointed goatee and mustache for most of his adult life.
Gustaf V was also a devoted tennis player, appearing under the pseudonym Mr G. As a player and promotor of the sport, Gustaf was elected in to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1980. Gustaf learned the sport during a visit in Britain in 1876 and founded Sweden's first tennis club on his return home. In 1936 he founded the King's Club. During his reign, Gustaf was often seen playing on the Riviera. During a visit in Berlin, Gustaf went straight from a meeting with Hitler to a tennis match with the Jewish player Daniel Prenn. [6] During World War II he interceded to obtain better treatment for the Davis Cup stars, Jean Borotra of France and Gottfried von Cramm of Germany, who had been imprisoned by the German government.
[edit] Children
- King Gustaf VI Adolf (1882-1973)
- Prince Wilhelm, Duke of Södermanland (1884-1965)
- Prince Erik, Duke of Västmanland (1889-1918)
[edit] Other notes
- Opener of the 1912 Summer Olympics
[edit] See also
[edit] External link
| Preceded by: Oscar II | King of Sweden 1907–1950 | Succeeded by: Gustaf VI Adolf |
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Categories: 1858 births | 1950 deaths | People from Stockholm | House of Bernadotte | Swedish monarchs | Knights of the Garter | Knights of the Golden Fleece | Dukes of Swedish Provinces | World War II political leaders | Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order | Tennis Hall of Fame members | Recipients of the Royal Victorian Chain
