Leopold II. - 19th Century Encyclopedia Entries



Nordisk Familjebok 1876-1899, Meyer 1885-1892,


Nordisk Familjebok 1876-1899, Article : Leopold II. (1885)
Leopold II. Louis Philippe Marie Victor, son of the former [Leopold I., described in the previous article], born in Brussels on April 9th 1835. Before ascending to the throne, he was addressed by the title "Duke of Brabant", and since 1853 he was member of the Belgian Senate, where he repeatedly spoke with knowledge of the matter and with eloquence, especially in matters concerning Belgium's industry, trade and communication system. As heir apparent he also undertook several travels through a number of European countries, Egypt and Asia Minor. After the death of his father, on December 10th 1865, he became king and since has ruled Belgium in a purely constitutional and strictly parlamentarian spirit. Through steadfastness and prudence he succeeded in maintaining his country's neutrality in the Franco-German War 1870-1871. With impartiality and fairness he has managed to maintain a balance between the two large parties, the Liberals and the Catholic-Clericals, who divide the Belgian people into two hostile camps. Belgium's industry, trade and national wealth have made great progress under his rule. So, for example, Antwerpen's sea trade has overtaken that of almost any other city on the European continent. The sciences and the arts in Leopold II. have found an enlightened patron. With lively interest and generosity he especially has supported geographical expeditions of discovery. Under his protection was formed, at an international conference in Brussels 1876, the "International African Association", with the goal to research Africa, to open up this neglected continent for trade and civilization, and to suppress the slave trade. Along the fertile banks of the mighty Congo river his association has established a large state, the borders of which were determined at an international conference in Berlin (November 1884 - January 1885). The conference further determined, that the Congo State was to enjoy neutrality, and that free trade and freedom of religion should apply there. Almost all powers already recognized the flag of the new state. King Leopold, the achievements of whom for the "International African Association" were honored by the conference, was chosen to become the first sovereign of the new Congo State. On April 21st 1885 the Belgian government presented to the Chamber of Representatives the following proposal, which won the applause and approval of the representation : "the king is authorized to become the head of the state established in Africa by the International Africa Association. The union between Belgium and the new state shall exclusively be a personal union." Like his father, King Leopold II. enjoyed the greatest popularity among all social classes and political parties in his kingdom. In his marriage with Archduchess Maria Henrietta of Austria (born on August 23rd 1836, married on August 22nd 1853), a daughter of Archduke Joseph, Leopold had one son, Leopold (born in 1859, died in 1869) and three daughters, Louise (born in 1858, married in 1875 with Philipp of Sachsen-Coburg and Gotha, Stephanie (born in 1864, married in 1881 with crown prince Rudolf of Austria) and Clementine (born in 1872).
source in Swedish, posted by Project Runeberg

Meyer's Konversationslexikon 1885-1892, Article : Leopold II.
Leopold II., King of the Belgians, son and successor of the former [i.e. of Leopold I., described in the previous article], born in Brussels on April 9th 1835, in 1840 was given the title Duke of Brabant by his father, in 1846 he joined the army as a junior lieutenant, he later rose through the ranks until he reached the rank of a lieutenant general, which he received in 1865. Upon reaching majority he was named a member of the senate; on August 22nd 1853 he married the Archduchess Marie Henriette (born on August 23rd 1836), the daughter of the deceased Archduke Joseph, Palatine of Hungary. In the senate Prince Leopold displayed a vivid interest in its debates, namely if these dealt with the material development of Belgium, the extension of its trade relations and of its industrial production. But he maintained his distance from politics, until the death of his father on December 10th 1865 called him to the throne, from where he maintained the stipulations of the constitution and the usage of constitutional monarchy as much as did his father. The endeavours to extend Belgium's trade continued to attract his interest, and he vividly participated in geographical studies and expeditions of his era. In 1876 invited a geographical congress in Brussels in order to discuss the utilization of African discoveries and caused several expeditions and settlement experiments in central Africa. On the basis of Stanley's travels and reports he founded the Congo State, the sovereignty of which was conferred upon him in 1885. His only son, Pronce Leopold, Duke of Brabant and Caunt of Hainaut (born in 1859) died on January 28th 1869; alive are only three daughters, the eldest of which, Louise (born on February 18th 1858) is married to Prince Philipp of Sachsen-Coburg, the second, Stephanie (born May 21st 1864) to Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria. Thus the heir apparent is Leopold's brother Philippe, Count of Flanders.
source in German, posted by Retro Bibliothek





EXTERNAL
LINKS
DOCUMENTS Article Leopold II. of Belgium, from EB 1911
Article Leopold, from Meyers Konversationslexikon 1902-1909, scroll down for (10) Leopold II. König der Belgier, in German
Article Leopold, kings of Belgium, from Nordisk Familjebok 1904-1926, scroll down for Leopold II., in Swedish (1912)
REFERENCE


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First posted on June 6th 2009

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