biography
| name: |
William IV
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known as the Sailor King
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| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1765–1837)
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| biography:
| King of Great Britain and Ireland, and king of Hanover (1830–7), born in London, UK, the third son of George III, and before his accession known as Duke of Clarence. He entered the navy in 1779, saw service in the USA and the West Indies, became admiral in 1811, and Lord High Admiral in 1827–8. His elder brother having died, he succeeded George IV in 1830. Widely believed to have Whig leanings at his accession, he developed Tory sympathies, and did much to obstruct the passing of the first Reform Act (1832). He was the last monarch to use prerogative powers to dismiss a ministry with a parliamentary majority when he sacked Melbourne in 1834 and invited the Tories to form a government. He was succeeded by his niece, Victoria. |
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