Abdullah I of Jordan

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Abdullah I of Jordan

Role / Field:

Ruler of Jordan who transitioned from British protectorate to independent Hashemite King.

Born:

1882-02-02

Died:

1951-07-20

Century / Era:

1882s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Abdullah I (né Abdullah bin Hussein al-Hashimi; 2 February 1882 – 20 July 1951) was the ruler of Jordan from 11 April 1921 until his assassination in 1951. He was the Emir of Transjordan, a British protectorate, until 25 May 1946, after which he was king of an independent Jordan. As a member of the Hashemite dynasty, the royal family of Jordan since 1921, Abdullah was a 38th-generation direct descendant of Muhammad. Born in Mecca, Hejaz, Ottoman Empire, Abdullah was the second of four sons of Hussein bin Ali, Sharif of Mecca, and his first wife, Abdiyya bint Abdullah. He was educated in Istanbul and Hejaz.

Career & Major Achievements

From 1909 to 1914, Abdullah sat in the Ottoman legislature, as deputy for Mecca, but allied with Britain during the First World War. During the war, he played a key role in secret negotiations with the United Kingdom that led to the Arab Revolt against Ottoman rule that was led by his father Sharif Hussein. Abdullah personally led guerrilla raids on garrisons. Abdullah became Emir of Transjordan in April 1921. He upheld his alliance with the British during World War II, and became king after Transjordan gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1946.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1950, Jordan annexed the West Bank, which angered Arab countries including Syria, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. He was assassinated in Jerusalem while attending Friday prayers at the entrance of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by a Palestinian in 1951. Abdullah was succeeded by his eldest son Talal. In 1910, Abdullah persuaded his father to stand, successfully, for Grand Sharif of Mecca, a post for which Hussein acquired British support. In the following year, he became deputy for Mecca in the parliament established by the Young Turks, acting as an intermediary between his father and the Ottoman government.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1882 (1882-02-02): Birth of Abdullah I of Jordan — Ruler of Jordan who transitioned from British protectorate to independent Hashemite King.
2. 1909: 1909 Milestone — From 1909 to 1914, Abdullah sat in the Ottoman legislature, as deputy for Mecca, but allied with Britain during the First World War.
3. 1910: 1910 Milestone — In 1910, Abdullah persuaded his father to stand, successfully, for Grand Sharif of Mecca, a post for which Hussein acquired British support.
4. 1921: 1921 Milestone — As a member of the Hashemite dynasty, the royal family of Jordan since 1921, Abdullah was a 38th-generation direct descendant of Muhammad.
5. 1946: 1946 Milestone — He was the Emir of Transjordan, a British protectorate, until 25 May 1946, after which he was king of an independent Jordan.
6. 1950: 1950 Milestone — In 1950, Jordan annexed the West Bank, which angered Arab countries including Syria, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
7. 1951 (1951-07-20): Passing & Historical Legacy — Abdullah I of Jordan passed away on 1951-07-20, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Abdullah I of Jordan

True or False: “Abdullah I was the first Arab leader to advocate for the immediate annexation of all of Palestine into Transjordan.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While he supported partition in 1947 to annex areas, he was not the first to advocate for such a broad claim.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. A. Milne — Contemporary (Born in 1882) (1882): Celebrated English author, famed for Winnie-the-Pooh and children's literature.
• Abd el-Krim — Contemporary (Born in 1882) (1882): Moroccan revolutionary leader who spearheaded the revolt against French and Spanish Protectorates.
• Aleksey Nikolayevich Tolstoy — Contemporary (Born in 1882) (1882): Versatile Russian/Soviet writer known for historical and science fiction.
• Abanindranath Tagore — Contemporary (Died in 1951) (1951): Pioneering figure of the Bengal School, modernizing Indian art against Western influence.
• Agrippina Vaganova — Contemporary (Died in 1951) (1951): Foundational Russian ballerina and creator of the influential Vaganova method.
• Al Franken — Contemporary (Born in 1951) (1951): Comedian, writer, and politician known for SNL and his tenure as a U.S. Senator.
• Abba Eban — Shared historical date (02-02 · Born) (1915): Israeli diplomat, politician, and scholar of Arabic and Hebrew languages.
• Adelaide Anne Procter — Shared historical date (02-02 · Died) (1864): English poet and philanthropist known for her work on poverty and faith.
• Alberto Santos-Dumont — Shared historical date (07-20 · Born) (1873): Brazilian pioneer of aviation, instrumental in developing both airships and fixed-wing aircraft.
• Albrecht von Graefe (ophthalmologist) — Shared historical date (07-20 · Died) (1870): Pioneering German ophthalmologist, instrumental in establishing modern eye care.
• 1882 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1882
• February 2 (02-02) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on February 2
• 1951 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1951
• July 20 (07-20) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on July 20

Frequently Asked Questions about Abdullah I of Jordan