Sa{ʽ}ūd

in full Saʽūd ibn ʽAbd al-ʽAzīz al-Fayṣal Āl Saʽūd

born Jan. 15, 1902, Kuwait

died Feb. 23, 1969, Athens, Greece

King of Saudi Arabia (1953–64).

Son and successor of Ibn Saūd, he continued his father's program of modernization, emphasizing the construction of medical and educational facilities, based on revenues from the oil industry. His financial mismanagement led to increasing opposition within the family to his rule. He was deposed in favour of his more financially competent brother, Fayṣal ibn ʽAbd al-ʽAzīz (1905–75).

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