Oskar II 1829-1907
King of Sweden and Norway

He was born in Stockholm, the younger son of Oskar I and brother of Karl XV, whom he succeeded in 1872. A vigorous, intelligent man of literary bent, his foreign policy was marked by admiration of the new German Empire of Bismarck, whose friendship he hoped would strengthen Sweden against Russia. He served as a mediator in international disputes, but found it impossible to keep the union of Norway and Sweden intact, and in 1905 surrendered the Crown of Norway to Prince Karl of Denmark, elected King of Norway as Haakon VII. He wrote a number of poems and historical works (including a Life of Karl XII), and translated German literature, including Goethe's Faust. Married to Sofia of Nassau (1836-1913), sister of Adolf, Grand Duke of Luxemburg, he was succeeded as King of Sweden by his son, Gustav V.