| − | King '''William IV''' (August 21, 1765 – June 20, 1837) was the third son of [[George III]]. He succeeded to the throne of the [[United Kingdom]] of Great Britain and Ireland upon the death of his brother [[George IV]] on June 26, 1830. Having no living legitimate children at his death, he was succeeded by his niece, Princess Victoria of Kent, who reigned as [[Queen Victoria]]. | + | King '''William IV''' (August 21, 1765 – June 20, 1837) was the third son of King [[George III]]. He succeeded to the throne of the Great Britain upon the death of his brother [[George IV]] on June 26, 1830, at age 65. As king he was frugal and popular, in striking contrast to George IV, who was widely despised and ridiculed. William IV had ten illegitimate children (who were not eligible to succeed him), but his two legitimate children both died soon after birth. Therefore he was succeeded by his niece, Princess Victoria of Kent, who reigned as [[Queen Victoria]]. |