Full name:  George III Born:  4th June 1738 Place of Birth:  Norfolk House, City of Westminster Ascended to the throne:  25th October 1760, aged 22 years Crowned:  22nd September 1761, at Westminster Abbey Reign:  59 years Died:  29th January 1820, Windsor

As the third Hanoverian king of England, George was born 4 June 1738, to Frederick, Prince of Wales.

When his father died in 1751, he became the next in line for the throne. In 1760, he acceded to the throne. George was the first Hanoverian monarch to use English as his primary language.

George made a poor choice for his first chief minister, and as a result government became ineffective. The crown was plagued by financial difficulties. His second choice for chief minister led to many disagreements with American colonists, and the defeat of the British in 1781.

George's position was strengthened when he appointed William Pitt to act in government, but disagreements between the two later led to Pitt's resignation in 1801.

In 1801, Great Britain and Ireland became united under the Act of Union, and George became the first king to rule the new nation.

Georges suffered from many bouts of illness throughout 1788-1801, thought to be caused by the stresses of his reign.

From 1810 onwards he became deranged and was mentally unfit to rule. His son (later George IV) acted as his regent.

George remained unwell until his death on 29 January 1820.