orig. Oscar Gustaf Adolf
born June 16, 1858, Stockholm, Swed.
died Oct. 29, 1950, Stockholm
King of Sweden (1907–50).
The son of Oscar II (1829–1907), he entered the army and traveled widely before succeeding his father in 1907. In a period of expanding democracy within his country, Gustav proved a capable constitutional monarch. Though he favoured the Allies in World Wars I and II, he was a firm proponent of Swedish neutrality.