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 81, having reigned for nearly 60 years, longer than any monarch up to that point.

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 81, having reigned for nearly 60 years, longer than any monarch up to that point.

Bio by: Kristen Conrad