Christian X

Christian X, 1870–1947, king of Denmark (1912–47) and Iceland (1912–44), son and successor of Frederick VIII and brother of King Haakon VII of Norway. He granted (1915) a new constitution that included the enfranchisement of women. During the German occupation (1940–45) of Denmark, the king defied German authority and was placed (1943) under house arrest. He became a symbol of national resistance. In 1944, Iceland severed all ties with the Danish crown. Christian's son Frederick IX succeeded him.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

See more Encyclopedia articles on: Scandinavian History: Biographies