Full Name: George Frederick Ernest Albert
Profession: King of the United Kingdom
Why Famous: King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 until his death in 1936.
While most other European empires fell after the First World War, the British Empire expanded under his reign to its greatest effective extent. In 1917 he changed the family name from the German Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to Windsor due to anti-German sentiment during World War I.
He was succeeded by his son, Edward VIII briefly, following his death.
Born: June 3, 1865
Birthplace: London, England, United Kingdom
Star Sign: Gemini
Died: January 20, 1936 (aged 70)
Cause of Death: Suffering from chronic bronchitis and close to death following a cold, his doctor Bertrand Dawson euthanized the King via two consecutive lethal injections, 3⁄4 g of morphine followed by 1g of cocaine shortly afterwards.
Articles and Photos
Nine Kings in One Room
Nine sovereigns of Europe meet at the funeral of Edward VII
May 20, 1910Stormy Birth for the House of Windsor
Britain’s King with his German connections faced resentment when World War 1 bombs fell on London. It led, on this day, to a change of name for the monarchy.
July 17, 1917King Abdicates for Love of Wallis Simpson
On this day King Edward VIII gave up his throne so that he could marry the twice-divorced Wallis Simpson. It was the first time a British king had abdicated.
December 10, 1936
Married Life
- 1893-07-06 British Prince George Duke of York (later George V) marries Princess Victoria of Teck (Queen Mary) at St James's Palace
Historical Events
- 1895-12-24 George Vanderbilt opens Biltmore estate, the largest privately owned house in America at 178,926 square feet (16,622.8 m2) in Asheville, North Carolina
- 1910-05-06 George V becomes King of the United Kingdom upon the death of his father, Edward VII
- 1911-06-22 King George V crowned King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and all his realms and territories beyond the sea
- 1913-06-04 English suffragette Emily Davison dies after throwing herself in front of King George V's horse Anmer during running of the Derby at Epsom
- 1917-05-11 King George V grants Royal Letters Patent to New Zealand
- 1917-06-04 Most Excellent Order of British Empire inaugurated by King George V to recognise the efforts of his people in WWI
- 1917-07-17 Royal Proclamation by King George V changes name of British Royal family from German Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor
- 1921-06-06 Southwark Bridge in London is opened to traffic by King George V and Queen Mary.
- 1930-05-09 John Masefield is appointed British Poet Laureate by King George V
- 1932-12-25 During King George V's Christmas dinner speech his chair collapses
- 1935-05-06 British King George V & Queen Mary celebrate silver jubilee
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