Main Page | See live article | Alphabetical index

Willem Drees

Willem Drees (July 5, 1886-May 14, 1988) was a Dutch politician, prime minister of the Netherlands from 1948 until 1958, as a member of the socialist PvdA party.

Born in Amsterdam, Drees was known as Vadertje Drees ("Father Drees"), and was very popular. During his office as a prime minister, the Netherlands recovered from the Second World War de-colonisation took place. Drees also held the cabinet postition of Minister of State in 1959. He died in The Hague in 1988.