born April 8, 1875, Brussels, Belg.
died Feb. 17, 1934, Marche-les-Dames, near Namur
King of the Belgians (1909–34).
He succeeded his uncle, King Leopold II , in 1909. He strengthened the army while reaffirming Belgian neutrality in 1914, rejecting William II 's demand (Aug. 2, 1914) for free passage of German troops across Belgium. Following the Armistice he sought to abolish Belgian neutrality, supported universal male suffrage, and guided the country's rebuilding effort.
Albert I
EB Inc.