Ibn Saud, in full Ibn Abd al-Rahman al-Saud 1880-1953
First King of Saudi Arabia

Born in Riyadh, he followed his family into exile (1890) and was brought up in Kuwait. In 1901 he succeeded his father and with a small band of followers set out to reconquer the family domains from the Rashidi rulers, an aim which he achieved with British recognition (1927). His ambitions against King Hussein ibn Ali, however, had been frustrated by British intervention (1921). He substituted patriarchal administration by the nationalistic Ikhwan colonies (brotherhoods) and made pilgrimages to Mecca safe for all Muslims. He changed his title from Sultan of Nejd (1922) to King of the Hejaz and Nejd (1927) and King of Saudi Arabia (1932). After the discovery of oil (1938) he granted substantial concessions to US oil companies. He remained neutral but friendly to the Allies in World War II. The economic boom produced by oil undermined the traditional spartan Wahhabi lifestyle of the royal family, much to his regret. He sired 45 sons and over 200 daughters. His son Saud succeeded his father in 1953, only to be deposed by his brother Faisal in 1964.

Bibliography: David A Howarth, The Desert King (1964)