Who was King Oscar I of Sweden?
On 4 July 1799, Oscar was born in Paris, then a part of the French Republic.
Napoleon Bonaparte himself chose the name Oscar after one of the heroes
in the Poems of Ossian by James Macpherson. (Via Johan Bengtsson @
Twitter)
Family
Oscars parents were King Charles XIV of Sweden and Désirée Clary.
His paternal grandparents were Henri Bernadotte and Jeanne de Saint-Jean.
Désirée Clary was the daughter of a wealthy silk merchant and her sister
July Clary married Joseph Bonaparte. July Clary became queen of Naples
and Sicily.
July Clary married Joseph Bonaparte. July Clary became queen of Naples
and Sicily.
It was Joseph Bonaparte, the brother of Napoleon, who was the godfather
of Oscar of Sweden. (Via Johan Bengtsson @ Twitter)
of Oscar of Sweden. (Via Johan Bengtsson @ Twitter)
King Oscar I of Sweden was a member of the House of Bernadotte.
Childhood
On 21 August 1810, Oscars father Charles XIV was elected at the Riksdag of
the Estates as King Charles XIII had no heirs.
the Estates as King Charles XIII had no heirs.
On that day, Oscar was created Prince of Sweden with the style your Royal
Highness. He also received the title Duke of Södermanland. Prince Alexander
of Sweden now has this title too.
Highness. He also received the title Duke of Södermanland. Prince Alexander
of Sweden now has this title too.
In July 1811 Oscars mother moved from Paris to Stockholm. Oscar was getting
used at the royal court and he learned Swedish. Désirée had more difficulties due
to the cold weather.
used at the royal court and he learned Swedish. Désirée had more difficulties due
to the cold weather.
Youth
In 1816, Oscar was elected an honorary member of the Royal Swedish Academy
of Sciences. He also was appointed as chancellor of Uppsala University.
of Sciences. He also was appointed as chancellor of Uppsala University.
In 1818, Oscar became the Crown Prince of Sweden.
Beethoven offered to teach Oscar music lessons.
He also wrote an opera 'Ryno' when Eduard Brendler died in 1831
and several articles about popular education. (via Johan Bengsston @ Twitter)
and several articles about popular education. (via Johan Bengsston @ Twitter)
Love and Marriage
In 1823, Prince Oscar married Josephine of Leuchtenberg. She was a daughter
of Eugène de Beauharnais and Princess Augusta of Bavaria. The couple would
have 5 children together. Oscar also had some natural children (children born
outside the marriage).
of Eugène de Beauharnais and Princess Augusta of Bavaria. The couple would
have 5 children together. Oscar also had some natural children (children born
outside the marriage).
Reign
Oscar became King of Sweden and Norway on 8 March 1844. He held the
principle of nationality.
principle of nationality.
In 1848 he supported Denmark against the Kingdom of Prussia in the First
War of Schleswig.
War of Schleswig.
Death
In the 1850's, Oscars health went worse. In 1857 he got paralyzed. He died
on 8 July 1859 at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. His eldest son succeeded him
as King Charles XV.
on 8 July 1859 at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. His eldest son succeeded him
as King Charles XV.
Nowadays, Sweden has a Prince Oscar too. He is the youngest son of
Crown Princess Victoria and her husband Prince Daniel. He has the
title: Duke of Skane.
Crown Princess Victoria and her husband Prince Daniel. He has the
title: Duke of Skane.
Source pictures: Wikipedia
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