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George III

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George III was a famous king of Great Britain and Ireland.

He ruled for a very long time from 1760 until 1820. This reign lasted for 59 years and 96 days. He was the longest-reigning male monarch in British history. George was a very important leader during the Georgian and Regency eras. His life changed how people thought about the British monarchy.

George grew up in London and was a very studious child.

Francis Ayscough with the Prince of Wales (later King George III) and Edward Augustus, Duke of York and Albany by Richard Wilson
Francis Ayscough with the Prince of Wales (later King George III) and Edward Augustus, Duke of York and Albany by Richard Wilson

He was the first British king to study science in a deep way. His lessons included many subjects like chemistry, physics, and math. He also studied history, music, and geography. He could read and write in both English and German. By age eight, he could even talk about politics.

George, Prince of Wales (1738-1820), by Jean-Étienne Liotard
George, Prince of Wales (1738-1820), by Jean-Étienne Liotard

He became king after his grandfather, George II, died in 1760.

George III (by Allan Ramsay)
George III (by Allan Ramsay)

Shortly after, George married Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz in 1761. They had a large family with 15 children.

Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-92) - The Marriage of George III - RCIN 404353 - Royal Collection
Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-92) - The Marriage of George III - RCIN 404353 - Royal Collection

George loved his family and lived in places like Windsor Castle. He even helped make Weymouth a popular seaside resort. He was a great collector of books and art. His library became the foundation for a new national library.

Daughters of King George III
Daughters of King George III

His time as king was filled with many big changes and wars.

Britain won the Seven Years' War and became very strong. However, Britain also lost 13 colonies in North America during a war for independence. Later, Britain fought against Napoleon in many wars. In 1807, the British Empire made a big change by banning the slave trade. These events shaped the world we know today.

National-Debt-Gillray
National-Debt-Gillray

In his later years, George faced a very hard challenge.

Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830) - George III (1738–1820) - VA.1950.0023.0001 - Herbert Art Gallery and Museum
Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830) - George III (1738–1820) - VA.1950.0023.0001 - Herbert Art Gallery and Museum

He suffered from a serious mental illness. Doctors think it might have been bipolar disorder or porphyria. Because of this, his eldest son became the Prince Regent in 1811. The Regent helped rule the country while George was ill. George III died in 1820 at the age of 81. His son then became King George IV.

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🖼️ Images & Media (20)
File:Francis Ayscough with the Prince of Wales (later King George III) and Edward Augustus, Duke of York and Albany by Richard Wilson.jpg
Francis Ayscough with the Prince of Wales...
File:George, Prince of Wales (1738-1820), by Jean-Étienne Liotard.jpg
George, Prince of Wales (1738-1820), by...
File:Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-92) - The Marriage of George III - RCIN 404353 - Royal Collection.jpg
Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-92) - The...
File:Daughters of King George III.jpg
Daughters of King George III.jpg
File:George III (by Allan Ramsay).jpg
George III (by Allan Ramsay).jpg
File:George III's Procession to the Houses of Parliament.jpg
George III's Procession to the Houses of...
File:King George III of the United Kingdom, by John van Nost the Younger 1767 CE. It is housed in the British Museum, London; lent by the Victoria and Albert Museum.JPG
King George III of the United Kingdom, by...
File:George-III-by-Johan-Joseph-Zoffany.jpg
George-III-by-Johan-Joseph-Zoffany.jpg
File:William Walcutt statue George III.png
William Walcutt statue George III.png
File:Benjamin West (1738-1820) - George III (1738-1820) - RCIN 405407 - Royal Collection.jpg
Benjamin West (1738-1820) - George III...
File:National-Debt-Gillray.jpeg
National-Debt-Gillray.jpeg
File:GeorgeIIIGuinea.jpg
GeorgeIIIGuinea.jpg

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