Oskar I (1799-1859) was king of Sweden and Norway from 1844 to 1859. He supported liberal social and economic reforms at the beginning of Sweden’s period of industrialization.
Oskar was born in Paris on July 4, 1799. He was the only son of the French general Jean Baptiste Jules Bernadotte, and his original name was Joseph-Francois Bernadotte. The Swedish Riksdag (parliament) elected Oskar’s father crown prince of Sweden to succeed King Charles XIII, who had no heirs. Some Swedes hoped that Bernadotte might bring support from France and help Sweden retake Finland, which had recently been lost to Russia. Oskar’s father took the more Scandinavian name Karl Johan (also spelled Charles John) as crown prince, and 11-year-old Joseph-Francois became Oskar (also spelled Oscar). Oskar’s father reigned as Karl XIV Johan (Charles XIV John) from 1818 to 1844. Oskar began to take part in government activities during the 1820’s.
Oskar supported many of the social and economic changes put forward by European liberals of the mid-1800’s. As king, his social reforms included making education more widely available, improving ways to help the poor, reforming prisons, and giving women more rights. Oskar also reduced tariffs (taxes on traded goods), encouraged industry and trade, and helped plan the nation’s railroad system. He made few changes in the political system of Sweden, however.
By 1857, Oskar had become ill with a brain tumor and was unable to rule. His son Karl (Charles) acted as regent (temporary ruler) from 1857 until Oskar’s death on July 8, 1859, and then succeeded him as King Karl (Charles) XV.
See also Bernadotte, Jean Baptiste Jules .
