William V, Prince of Wied was a German officer and politician, elder son of Hermann, Prince of Wied.
Background
William was the second child and first son of Hermann, Prince of Wied (1814–1864), son of Johann August Karl, Prince of Wied and Princess Sophie Auguste of Solms-Braunfels, and his wife, Princess Marie of Nassau (1825–1902), daughter of William, Duke of Nassau and his first wife Princess Louise of Saxe-Hildburghausen. Through her mother he was descendant of William IV stadtholder of the Netherlands and George II of Great Britain.
Education
During 1870-1871 he attended Franco-Prussian War.
Career
During the Austro-Prussian War in 1866, he was a lieutenant general staff of the 2nd Army. Between 1893 and 1897 he was the Imperial commissioner and military Chief of volunteer nurses in the army. In 1893 he was appointed as General of Infantry à la suite.
Politically, William was a supporter of colonial policy.
Between 1891 and 1892 he was chairman of the German anti-slavery committees. This funded include expeditions to unexplored areas in Africa.
Between 1875 and 1886 he was Marshal of Rhine Province parliament. He was from 1888 to 1894 and from 1899 to 1901 Chairman of the Rhine Province parliament.
Which he was president from 1897 to 1904.
22 August 1845 – 5 March 1864: His Serene Highness Prince William of Wied 5 March 1864 – 22 October 1907: His Serene Highness The Prince of Wied.
Membership
Since 1897, he was a member of the Colonial Council. Since 1878, he was a member of the Prussian House of Lords.