George William Frederick was born on the 4th of June 1738 at Norfolk House, 31 St James’s Square, London. His father, the Prince of Wales, died in 1751, making George the heir apparent. George succeeded his grandfather, George II, to the throne in 1760.
George III is unfairly remembered largely for the loss, during his reign, of the North American colonies following the British surrender in 1782; and his bouts of mental illness in later life. However, George was a gentle soul, father of fifteen children and unusually, took great interest in his nation’s politics, farming and sciences.
By 1810, George’s porphyria caused permanent derangement whereupon his eldest son, the Prince of Wales (later George IV), was appointed regent.
George III reigned from the 25th of October 1760 until his death at Windsor Castle on the 29th of January 1820.
George III by Allan Ramsay, c1762.
Jack Plane
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