Louis Philippe, << LOO ee, LOO ihs, or lwee fuh LEEP >> (1773-1850), was king of France from 1830 to 1848. He is often called The Citizen King. He was born on Oct. 6, 1773, in Paris, the eldest son of Philippe Egalite, Duke of Orleans. He sympathized with the liberal ideas of the French Revolution and joined the national guard at the beginning of the revolt. He became a lieutenant general and took part in the battles of Valmy, Jemappes, and Neerwinden. However, he later joined a plot against the republic and had to leave France.
In 1814, Louis Philippe returned to France and regained his large estates. He was proclaimed “Citizen King” of France after Charles X was forced to give up the throne in 1830. A week later Louis Philippe was made king. During his reign, he became unpopular with all classes of the French people. The legitimists opposed him because they were loyal to the descendants of Charles X. The liberals disliked his increasing suppression of disagreement.
Louis Philippe’s reign was prosperous but uneventful, as his ministers pursued cautious policies. The Revolution of 1848 broke out partly because he refused to reform election laws. He was forced to give up his throne, and escaped to England. He died on Aug. 26, 1850.
