George III A Personal History

by Hibbert, Christopher

• ISBN13: 9780465027248
• ISBN10: 0465027245
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-02-04
• Publisher: Basic Books

Summary

InGeorge III: A Personal History,British historian Christopher Hibbert reassesses the royal monarch George III (17381820). Rather than reaffirm George III's reputation as "Mad King George," Hibbert portrays him as not only a competent ruler during most of his reign, but also as a patron of the arts and sciences, as a man of wit and intelligence, indeed, as a man who "greatly enhanced the reputation of the British monarchy" until he was finally stricken by a rare hereditary disease.Teeming with court machinations, sexual intrigues, and familial conflicts, George III opens a window on the tumultuous, rambunctious, revolutionary eighteenth century. It is sure to alter our understanding of this fascinating, complex, and very human king who so strongly shaped England's and America'sdestiny.

Author Biography

Christopher Hibbert has written many well-received biographies, including, most recently, Queen Victoria. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and an Honorary Doctor of Letters of Leicester University.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations	p. ix
Author's Note	p. xiii
Family Tree	p. xiv
'The Greatest Beast in the Whole World'	p. 3
Father and Son	p. 8
The Pupil and His Tutors	p. 14
The 'Dearest Friend'	p. 22
Death of 'the Old Man'	p. 33
Bride and Bridegroom	p. 40
First Impressions	p. 49
Buckingham House	p. 57
Duties and Diversions	p. 71
A Promising Start	p. 76
Dukes and Ministers	p. 88
Family Life	p. 96
A Turbulent Ministry	p. 105
John Wilkes	p. 115
Troubles in America	p. 122
John Wilkes Returns	p. 130
'A Man of Admirable Parts'	p. 138
'An Ugly Job'	p. 149
Surrender at Yorktown	p. 155
The King's Brothers	p. 166
The King's Sisters	p. 174
The Move to Windsor	p. 177
At Mrs Delany's	p. 184
The Squire of Windsor	p. 191
'Gross Abuses in the Expenditure of Public Money'	p. 208
The Gordon Riots	p. 215
Attempted Murder	p. 226
King George versus Mr Fox	p. 231
The Profligate Heir	p. 237
The Defeat of Fox	p. 243
A Secret Marriage	p. 248
The 'Medical Tribe'	p. 254
The Lincolnshire Mad-Doctor	p. 275
Doctors' Dilemma	p. 282
The King's Recovery	p. 288
Prayers and Celebrations	p. 294
Weymouth en fete	p. 304
War with France	p. 308
Relapse and Recovery	p. 315
A Disastrous Marriage	p. 322
The Angry Father	p. 332
A Dreaded Interview	p. 336
'An Astonishing Change for the Worse'	p. 339
Princess Charlotte and her Mother	p. 351
The Royal Dukes	p. 358
The Conservative Gentleman	p. 373
The Nunnery	p. 377
Apotheosis	p. 386
Regency	p. 396
Last Days at Windsor	p. 405
Notes on Sources	p. 411
Bibliography	p. 426
Index	p. 445
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