Wilhelm II

About the Artist

Wilhelm II was born in 1859 and died in 1941; he was Emperor of the German Empire and King of Prussia (Kaiser), and is recorded as an important figure in German history. He was born to Frederick III and Princess Victoria, daughter of Queen Victoria of England, and was also known as the grandson of Wilhelm I. His political leanings emphasized a strong monarchical image and notably supported German military expansion. In particular, he became a central figure of historical controversy for his direct involvement in Germany's strategic decisions during World War I. A representative event was his military decision-making at the outbreak of World War I in 1914.