Birthday: August 21, 1765 (Leo)
Born In: London, England
William IV was king of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 1830 to 1837. Under his reign, the revolutionary ‘Reform Act of 1832’ was passed. Born in England, he was the third son of George III, and as such was not expected to succeed to the throne. Brought up since childhood for a naval career, he joined the ‘Royal Navy’ in his teenage years and enjoyed his time at sea, later becoming the captain of a frigate and eventually the admiral of the fleet. Afterwards, he was created the Duke of Clarence, took retirement from his active service, and went to live with his mistress with whom he had ten illegitimate children. He spent the next two decades with them. After the death of prince regent’s only daughter, a race began among the royal dukes to marry and produce legitimate heir for the throne. Therefore, he married Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen and upon the death of George IV, was crowned the King of England as William IV. Initially very popular among all classes, William’s reign was mostly dominated by the Reform crisis. ‘The Reform Act of 1832,’ passed after much parliamentary debates, abolished some of the worst misuses of the electoral system and extended the franchise to the middle classes. After ruling for seven years, William died without any surviving legitimate children and his niece Victoria succeeded him to the throne.
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Also Known As: William Henry
Died At Age: 71
Spouse/Ex-: Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen (m. 1818)
father: George III of the United Kingdom
mother: Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
siblings: Charlotte, Charlotte, Princess Royal, Duke of Kent and Strathearn, Ernest Augustus I of Hanover, George IV of the United Kingdom, Prince Edward, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn, Princess Augusta Sophia of the United Kingdom, Princess Royal
children: 1st Earl of Munster, 7, Amelia Cary, Amelia Cary, Viscountess Falkland, Countess of Erroll, Elizabeth Hay, Elizabeth Hay, Countess of Erroll, George FitzClarence, George FitzClarence, 1st Earl of Munster, Henry FitzClarence, Lady Augusta Gordon, Lady Mary Fox, Lord Adolphus FitzClarence, Lord Augustus FitzClarence, Lord Frederick FitzClarence, Princess Charlotte of Clarence, Princess Elizabeth of Clarence, Viscountess Falkland, William Henry Courtnay
Partner: Dorothea Jordan
Born Country: England
place of death: Windsor, England
City: London, England
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