British monarch. Born George William Frederick at Norfolk house, he was the son of Frederick, Prince of Wales and Augusta of Saxe-Gotha. His father had a very poor relationship with his father George II, and young George was kept away from court, even after the death of the prince of Wales left him as heir apparent. George inherited the throne upon the death of his grandfather in 1760. He married the German princess Charlotte of Mecklinburg-Strelitz at the Chapel Royal on September 8, 1761 and they were formally crowned on September 22. Despite never having met before their wedding day, George and Charlotte were devoted to one another, and they had 15 children, more than any other royal couple in British history. Called "Farmer George" for his plain, thrifty manner and interest in agriculture, the king and his prime ministers made a series of very bad errors in judgement concerning the American colonies, which led to the American Revolution. George never quite lived down the loss of the colonies, but he ended the Seven Years War with France, though the peace was short-lived thanks to Napoleon. He united Britain and Ireland into the United Kingdom, which lasted until 1920 and the establishment of the modern arrangement. He also abolished the slave trade in 1807, though slavery would continue in British colonies until 1833. Stricken with porphyria, George suffered from recurring bouts of mental illness which eventually became permanent. By 1811, he was locked away at Windsor Castle and his eldest son George, Prince of Wales, was declared regent. Over Christmas of 1819, the king suffered a further onslaught of madness. He spoke nonsense for 58 hours before falling into a coma. George died blind, deaf and insane at the age of 82, having reigned for 60 years, longer than any monarch up to that point.
Bio by: Kristen Conrad
Family Members
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Frederick Prince of Wales
1707–1751
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Augusta of Saxe-Gotha
1719–1772
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Sophia Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
1744–1818 (m. 1761)
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Edward Augustus Hanover
1739–1767
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Elizabeth Caroline of Great Britain
1741–1759
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Henry Frederick of Great Britain
1745–1790
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Louisa Anne of Great Britain
1749–1768
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Frederick William of Great Britain
1750–1765
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Caroline Mathilde of England
1751–1775
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George IV
1762–1830
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Frederick Augustus Hanover
1763–1827
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William IV
1765–1837
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Charlotte of Württemberg
1766–1828
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Edward Augustus Hanover
1767–1820
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Augusta of Hanover
1768–1840
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Elizabeth of Hanover
1770–1840
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Ernest Augustus von Hannover
1771–1851
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Augustus Frederick Hanover
1773–1843
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Adolphus Frederick of Hanover
1774–1850
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Mary of Gloucester and Edinburgh
1776–1857
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Sophia Matilda Hanover
1777–1848
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Octavius Hanover
1779–1783
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Alfred Hanover
1780–1783
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Amelia of Hanover
1783–1810
Flowers
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