King Of The United Kingdom William Iv

Notable

Family

British royalty, a monarch who was called "Silly Billy." William served in the Royal Navy in his youth and was, both during his reign and afterwards, nicknamed the "Sailor King." He served in North America and the Caribbean. The third son of George III, he was named the Duke of Clarence in 1789. After his brother, George IV, died, he ascended to the throne on 26 June 1830, at age 64. Somewhat colourless with Spartan tastes, he was notably eccentric, but had a humdrum old age. His reign saw several reforms: the poor law was updated, child labour restricted, slavery abolished in nearly all of the British Empire, and the British electoral system refashioned by the Reform Act 1832. William had a liaison for some 20 years with the actress Mrs. Jordan; they had eight children who were given the name FitzClarence. He married in 1818; two daughters who both died. He died on 20 June 1837 in Windsor, England. His niece (Queen) Victoria wrote in her diary that day that she had been informed that he "had expired at 12 minutes past 2 this morning, and consequently that I am Queen." Link to Wikipedia biography