William IV (disambiguation) facts for kids
William IV (born on August 21, 1765, died on June 20, 1837) was the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. He was also the King of Hanover. He ruled from 1830 until his death in 1837. Before becoming king, he was known as Prince William Henry. He was the third son of King George III.
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William IV joined the Royal Navy when he was just 13 years old. This was in 1779. He served in many parts of the world. These included the West Indies and North America. He was often called the "Sailor King" because of his time in the navy. He rose through the ranks. By 1789, he was made a Rear-Admiral. He loved his time at sea. He was the only British monarch to have traveled so widely.
Becoming King
William became king after his older brother, King George IV, died without any children. This happened in 1830. William was 64 years old when he took the throne. He was the oldest person to become a British monarch at that time. People hoped he would bring new ideas. He was seen as more down-to-earth than his brothers.
Important Changes During His Reign
King William IV's reign was short, but it was a time of big changes. One of the most important laws passed was the Reform Act 1832. This law changed how people voted. It gave more men the right to vote. It also made voting districts fairer. This was a very important step for democracy in Britain.
Another major change was the Slavery Abolition Act 1833. This law made slavery illegal throughout most of the British Empire. This was a huge step for human rights. It showed that Britain was moving towards a more equal society. William IV also saw changes in the poor laws. These laws helped people who were very poor.
Family Life
William IV married Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen in 1818. They had two daughters. Sadly, both of their children died when they were very young. Because he had no living children, his niece, Victoria, became queen after he died. She would later become one of Britain's longest-reigning monarchs.
Legacy
William IV is remembered as a king who helped Britain move forward. He was a popular monarch. He was known for being friendly and less formal than previous kings. His time on the throne helped prepare Britain for the long reign of Queen Victoria. He died in 1837 at the age of 71.
See also
In Spanish: Guillermo IV para niños
