George III Coins

Born in 1738, George was the son of Frederick, Prince of Wales, who would die before becoming King himself. George became the heir after his father died in 1751 and King when his grandfather died in 1760. Unlike his grandfather, George II, and great-grandfather, George I, George III was born in Great Britain and spoke English as his first language.

Some of the largest military conflicts in history took place during George’s reign. Despite victories in the Seven Years’ War, he is most remembered for later losing many of Britain’s colonies during the American War of Independence. George himself had little influence on the decisions leading up to America’s declaration of independence, which were instead implemented by Parliament. In his later years the Peninsular and Napoleonic campaigns saw victories in Europe.

By 1811 the King’s mental health had deteriorated to the point that he was no longer able to rule and his son, soon to be George IV, acted as Prince Regent until his death. After years of seclusion at Windsor Castle he died in 1820 and was succeeded by two of his sons, George IV and William IV.