William IV of the United Kingdom facts for kids

Quick facts for kids William IV
Predecessor	George IV
Successor	Victoria
Born	21 August 1765 Buckingham Palace, London, England
Died	20 June 1837 Windsor Castle, Windsor, Berkshire, England
Burial	St. George's Chapel

William IV (William Henry; 21 August 1765 – 20 June 1837) was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death. William, the third son of George III of the United Kingdom and younger brother and successor to George IV was the last person to rule both the United Kingdom and Hanover. His niece, Victoria, only ruled the United Kingdom and not Hanover.

He lived for 20 years with Sophia Jordan. They had ten children.

Children

Legitimate

All William IV's legitimate children (children with his wife) died before he became king, so they were therefore styled as Prince/Princess of Clarence with the style of Royal Highness.

Illegitimate children with Sophia Jordan

• George FitzClarence, 1st Earl of Munster
• Henry FitzClarence
• Sophia Sidney, Baroness De L'Isle and Dudley
• Lady Mary Fox
• Lord Frederick FitzClarence
• Elizabeth Hay, Countess of Erroll
• Lord Adolphus FitzClarence
• Lady Augusta Kennedy-Erskine
• Lord Augustus FitzClarence
• Amelia Cary, Viscountess Falkland

Images for kids

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  William aged thirteen (left) and his younger brother Edward, painted by Benjamin West, 1778

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  William in dress uniform painted by Sir Martin Archer Shee, c.1800

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  Cartoon by James Gillray of William and Mrs. Jordan: A large, cracked chamber-pot represents Mrs. Jordan, and the Duke has thrust himself into a fissure in the 'Jordan'.

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  Mrs. Jordan in the Character of Hypolita, mezzotint by John Jones of London, 1791, after a painting by John Hoppner

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  "The Disconsolate Sailor", 1811: a cartoon by Charles Williams about Catherine Tylney-Long's choice between the Duke of Clarence (right) and William Wesley-Pole (left)

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  Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen by Sir William Beechey, c. 1831

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  William, as Lord High Admiral, print by William James Ward, after Abraham Wivell's painting, first published in 1827

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  William IV in Masonic insignia. Portrait by James Lonsdale, 1830

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  Political cartoon supporting the Reform Act: King William sits above the clouds, surrounded by Whig politicians; below Britannia and the British Lion cause the Tories to flee.

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  Portrait by Sir David Wilkie, 1837

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  Half-Crown of William IV, 1836. The inscription reads GULIELMUS IIII D(EI) G(RATIA) BRITANNIAR(UM) REX F(IDEI) D(EFENSOR) (William IV by the Grace of God King of the Britains, Defender of the Faith)

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  William IV drawn by his daughter Sophia de L'Isle and Dudley in early 1837

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  Statue of William IV in Göttingen, Germany. The Latin inscription reads: "William the Fourth, King, Father of the Fatherland".

See also

In Spanish: Guillermo IV del Reino Unido para niños