1The name of four kings of Great Britain and Ireland, one of Great Britain and Ireland (from 1920 of the United Kingdom), and one of the United Kingdom.

1. 1.1 George I (1660–1727), great-grandson of James I, reigned 1714–27, Elector of Hanover 1698–1727. He succeeded to the British throne as a result of the Act of Settlement (1701). Unpopular in England as a foreigner who never learned English, he left administration to his ministers.
2. 1.2 George II (1683–1760), son of George I, reigned 1727–60, Elector of Hanover 1727–60. He depended heavily on his ministers, although he took an active part in the War of the Austrian Succession (1740–8). His later withdrawal from active politics allowed the development of constitutional monarchy.
3. 1.3 George III (1738–1820), grandson of George II, reigned 1760–1820, Elector of Hanover 1760–1815 and king of Hanover 1815–20. He exercised considerable political influence, but it declined from 1788 after bouts of mental illness, as a result of which his son was made regent in 1811.
4. 1.4 George IV (1762–1830), son of George III, reigned 1820–30. Known as a patron of the arts and bon viveur, he gained a bad reputation which was further damaged by his attempt to divorce his estranged wife, Caroline of Brunswick, just after coming to the throne.
5. 1.5 George V (1865–1936), son of Edward VII, reigned 1910–36. He exercised restrained but important influence over British politics, playing an especially significant role in the formation of the government in 1931.
6. 1.6 George VI (1895–1952), son of George V, reigned 1936–52. He came to the throne on the abdication of his elder brother Edward VIII. Despite a retiring disposition he became a popular monarch, gaining respect for the staunch example he and his family set during the London Blitz.