Born 1765 – Died 1837 • King of Great Britain 1830 - 1837

"Panic-stricken landowners cower behind bolted doors...farm machinery is smashed to smithereens!"

Kent Courier, 1830

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The King recognised the risk of revolution and agreed to call an election.  The Industrial Revolution had spawned new towns like Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds, with no representation in parliament.

The passing of the great Act of Reform in 1832 was the 1st faltering steps towards universal suffrage and democracy. Britain was leaping into an exciting new era 'the age of the railway', when the King died. He was admired for setting an unstable monarchy on an even keel.

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The Prince and the famous comic actress, Dora. She gave him 10 children, 20 years of her life, her money and her beauty. He abandoned her for Adelaide, a wealthy heiress, who was better placed to support his royal ambitions. Homeless, Dora returned to the stage in an attempt to eke out a living, and died alone in Paris 5 years later, with just £10 to her name.

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"He would have passed in private life for a

good-natured sailor."

Spencer Walpole, Historian, on William IV

Photo: Royal Collection/Wikimedia • Believed to be in the Public Domain (Age - Copyright expired)