William I of Prussia
King of Prussia from 1861 and the first German emperor from 1871. With Bismarck as chancellor, the wars against Denmark, Austria and France culminated in German unification.
This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.
Key details
Birth: 22 March 1797 Documented
Death: 9 March 1888 Documented
Role: King / Emperor
Dynasty: Hohenzollern · ES
Territories: Prussia (ES) · Germany (ES)
Recorded relationships
Their titles over time
Follow the changing territories and offices of William I of Prussia. Each title retains its own status.
Governments in 1871
- PrussiaKing
View titles and jurisdictions
- Prussia · ESKing · Effective rule1861–1888
- Holy Roman Empire (Germany)King of the Romans
View titles and jurisdictions
- Germany · ESKing of the Romans · Effective rule1871–1888
Annual dates: overlap within one year does not prove that two offices were held on the same day. Regencies and co-rulerships retain their labels.
Sources for this profile
- Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND authority record · Wilhelm I., Deutsches Reich, Kaiser
- Encyclopaedia Britannica
Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.
Evidence for this profile
6 recorded claims · 2 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.
Dates (2/2 with a precise source)
- BirthDocumented
22 March 1797
The authority record gives the birth as 1797-03-22. - DeathDocumented
9 March 1888
The authority record gives the death as 1888-03-09.
Family and relationships (2/2 with a precise source)
- FatherDocumented
Frederick William III of Prussia
The authority record identifies Frederick William III of Prussia (GND 118535986) as father. - MotherDocumented
Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
The authority record identifies Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (GND 118575155) as mother.
Governments (0/2 with a precise source)
- GovernmentPending review
King · Prussia · 1861–1888
A precise source has not yet been added. - GovernmentPending review
King of the Romans · Germany · 1871–1888
A precise source has not yet been added.
Biographical and contextual references (2)
Editorial history
- 2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
- 2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
More paths from William I of Prussia
Family
Frederick William III of PrussiaKing1770 – 1840Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz · ESConsort1776 – 1810Same dynasty
Frederick William IV of Prussia · ESKing1795 – 1861Wilhelmina of Prussia, Princess of Orange · ESPrincess of Orange1751 – 1820Frederick William II of PrussiaKing1744 – 1797Louisa Ulrika of Prussia · ESConsort1720 – 1782
Frederick II of Prussia“the Great”King of Prussia · Elector of Brandenburg1712 – 1786Prince Augustus William of Prussia · ESPrince1722 – 1758In their lifetime
Francis II of the Holy Roman EmpireEmperor1768 – 1835Frederick William II of PrussiaKing1744 – 1797Frederick William IV of Prussia · ESKing1795 – 1861Wilhelmina of Prussia, Princess of Orange · ESPrincess of Orange1751 – 1820Frederica Louisa of Hesse-Darmstadt · ESConsort1751 – 1805
Charles IV of SpainKing of Spain1748 – 1819