Willem Drees (5 July 1886 – 14 May 1988) was a Dutch politician of the Labour Party (PvdA). He had a lengthy legislative career which culminated in his terms as Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 7 August 1948 until 22 December 1958. After 1958, Drees retired from active politics, but remained a very active observer, publishing a substantial number of books and articles until the age of 97. He is praised by many as the most important Dutch politician after World War II for his important contributions and social reforms laws.