WILLIAM I. (1772-1843). The first King of the Netherlands. Be was the son of William, the last Stadtholder of the Dutch Republic, and was born at The Hague, August 24, 1772. He com manded the Dutch army in 1793-95 in the war with France, and after the conquest of his country be went to Berlin. This father in 1802 bestowed upon him the principality of Fulda. with other districts, but they were taken from him in 18(16 because of his refusal to join the Rhenish Con federation. In the same year he succeeded to the hereditary possession of the house of Nassau Dietz through the death of his father. He held a high commission in the Prussian army, was captured at Jena, and upon his release en tered the Austrian service. After the battle of Wagram (1809) he went to Berlin. and in 1813 Lc returned to I lolland, where lie was received as legitimate ruler by the people. Tn with
the act of the Congress of Vienna constituting Belgium and Holland the Kingdom of the Nether lands. he was proclaimed ruler of the new kiter don] March 16, 1815. His hereditary possessions in I ierillally were I ronsferred in Prussia. and he received in lieu thereof time Grand Duchy of Luxemburg. Belgium revolted in 1530 and achieved its independence in 1832. King William protested ineffectually and obstinately refused to recognize the settlement, which was recognized by the Powers, provoking much bitter feeling. Final ly he abdicated, October 7, 1840, took the title of Count of Nassau, went to Berlin, where he the Countess d'Onitremont in 1S41. and died December 12. 1843. His first wife, whom lie married in 1791, was Frederike Luise Willie'mine, daughter of Frederick William 11. of Prussia.