William IV
Born on 21st of August 1765
Died on 20th of June 1837
William IV was born on the 21st August 1765 at Buckingham Palace, he was the 3rd son of George III and Charlotte, his two elder brothers were Prince George, Prince Of Wales, and Prince Frederick. He was brought up under a very strict regime and joined the Royal Navy as a young man aged just 13, throughout his time he saw America, and served under Nelson in the West Indies. William's eldest brother George became Prince Regent when their father was declared insane.
In 1791 he lived with his mistress, Mrs Jordan an Irish actress that he was to spend many, many years with. They had ten children, illegitimate children, five boys, and five girls.
When George IV's daughter died in 1818, it caused a rush to produce heirs, William married Princess Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen in 1818, she was 27 years younger than him, and although they produced two daughters, unfortunately both of them died in infancy.
On the death of his brother George IV in 1830, William ascended to the throne, he was crowned when he was 62 years of age on the 8th September 1830, and became popular as he insisted that his Coronation should not cost a fortune as had his brothers'. Throughout his reign there was a Reform Bill crisis, he was forced to create more Peers of the realm in order for them to quash the hostile majority and to ensure that the Reform Bill would go through.
William IV died of heart failure on the 20th June 1837 at Windsor Castle, aged 71 years, he was buried at Windsor. As he had no living heirs, the crown passed to his niece Victoria, who was destined to become the longest reigning monarch in history.
During his reign there were many important and significant changes that occurred, such as the Abolition of Slavery across the Empire, The Factory Act which saw an improvement of hours of women and children, and The Poor Law which saw the provision of Workhouses to provide relief for the poor
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