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His governments, with little help from the king, presided over victory in the Napoleonic Wars, negotiated the peace settlement, and attempted to deal with the social and economic malaise that followed.

His governments, with little help from the king, presided over victory in the Napoleonic Wars, negotiated the peace settlement, and attempted to deal with the social and economic malaise that followed.

Intellectually the cleverest of the Hanoverian kings, George IV was the least successful in politics. Wits commented in his youth he was destined to be either the most polished gentleman or the most accomplished blackguard in Europe--possibly both.  His charm and culture earned him the title "the first gentleman of Europe," but his bad relations with his father and wife, and his dissolute way of life earned him the contempt of the people and dimmed the prestige of the monarchy. Taxpayers were angry at his wasteful spending in time of war. He did not provide national leadership in time of crisis, nor a role model for his people. His ministers found his behavior selfish, unreliable, and irresponsible. At all times he was much under the influence of favorites.  

Intellectually the cleverest of the Hanoverian kings, George IV was the least successful in politics. Wits commented in his youth he was destined to be either the most polished gentleman or the most accomplished blackguard in Europe—possibly both.  His charm and culture earned him the title "the first gentleman of Europe," but his bad relations with his father and wife, and his dissolute way of life earned him the contempt of the people and dimmed the prestige of the monarchy. Taxpayers were angry at his wasteful spending in time of war. He did not provide national leadership in time of crisis, nor a role model for his people. His ministers found his behavior selfish, unreliable, and irresponsible. At all times he was much under the influence of favorites.  

On the other hand he did not interfere in politics, thus allowing the modern constitution to emerge whereby an elected government made policy. On the positive side he did well as patron of the arts, helping painters such as Sir [[Thomas Lawrence]], and architects such as [[John Nash]]. He built the exquisite Pavilion at Brighton, carried out the remodeling of Windsor Castle, and using connoisseurship to make the Royal Collection one of the finest in the world; and his devotion to building, which left a significant mark on the architectural heritage.  

On the other hand he did not interfere in politics, thus allowing the modern constitution to emerge whereby an elected government made policy. On the positive side he did well as patron of the arts, helping painters such as Sir [[Thomas Lawrence]], and architects such as [[John Nash]]. He built the exquisite Pavilion at Brighton, carried out the remodeling of Windsor Castle, and using connoisseurship to make the Royal Collection one of the finest in the world; and his devotion to building, which left a significant mark on the architectural heritage.  

His last years were marked by increasing physical and mental decay; he died, unlamented, at Windsor on June 26, 1830.  The ''Times'' commented, "There never was an individual less regretted by his fellow creatures than the deceased King ...an inveterate voluptuary...of all known beings the most selfish." Privately a senior aide to the king confided to his diary:<ref> Kenneth Baker, "George IV: a Sketch." ''History Today'' 2005 55(10): 30-36. </ref>

His last years were marked by increasing physical and mental decay; he died, unlamented, at Windsor on June 26, 1830.  The ''Times'' commented, "There never was an individual less regretted by his fellow creatures than the deceased King ...an inveterate voluptuary...of all known beings the most selfish." Privately a senior aide to the king confided to his diary:<ref>Kenneth Baker, "George IV: a Sketch." ''History Today'' 2005 55(10): 30-36.</ref>

:"A more contemptible, cowardly, selfish, unfeeling dog does not exist....There have been good and wise kings but not many of them...and this I believe to be one of the worst."

:"A more contemptible, cowardly, selfish, unfeeling dog does not exist....There have been good and wise kings but not many of them...and this I believe to be one of the worst."

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{{DEFAULTSORT:George 4}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:George 4}}

[[category:United Kingdom Monarchs]]

[[Category:United Kingdom Monarchs]]

[[Category:British History]]

[[Category:British History]]