Person    | Male  Born 4/6/1738  Died 29/1/1820

King George III

Born in St James's Square (not the public garden, one of the houses, obviously). Crowned in 1760, the first monarch since Queen Anne to be truly British. It was during his rule that many of the American colonies were lost in the American Revolutionary War. Later in life suffered from an intermittent mental illness which made him eventually too mad to rule and his eldest son ruled as Prince Regent, becoming George IV on his father's death, at Windsor. His consort was Queen Charlotte. In recent years the accepted diagnosis has been manic depression.

George III was a strong supporter of Eton College (his local school) and, in return, the school made the King's birthday a holiday and the 'Fourth of June' became a traditional day of festivities even though it is seldom celebrated on June 4.

Journal of the American Revolution describes the toppling of a Manhattan statue of George III in 1776. This had been erected only about 10 years previously but when the States declared their independence a group of New Yorkers celebrated by pulling it down.  A 2021 meme: "After hearing a reading of the newly adopted Declaration of Independence, New Yorkers "Destroy History" by toppling a statue of King George III. And that's why no one knows who won the American Revolution.”

Invested in and was governor of the South Sea company whose trade was slavery. During the campaign to end the slave trade George supported neither side, which, given his position, was helpful to those in favour of retention.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
King George III

Commemorated ati

Duke of York's column

Bronze statue by Westmacott of "The Grand Old Duke of York" of nursery rhyme ...

Read More

General Roy's cannon - south

The cannon was installed in 1791 by Mudge. The plaque came later in 1926. Fr...

Read More

George III at Trinity House

This building was erected during his reign.

Read More

George III in Cockspur Street

Considered to be Wyatt's best work.

Read More

George III with the River god

Bronze statue erected in 1789 showing the king who had commissioned the rebui...

Read More

Show all 16

Other Subjects

League of coloured peoples

League of coloured peoples

Founded by Doctor Harold Moody. A civil-rights organisation with the aim of racial equality around the world. Although its primary purpose was black rights in Britain, it was also involved in other...

Group, Community / Clubs, Race Issues

1 memorial
Olive Schreiner

Olive Schreiner

Author, campaigner against war, against racism and for womans' vote.  Best remembered for her 1883 novel, 'The Story of an African Farm'.  Born in South Africa.  Named Olive Emilie Albertina Schrei...

Person, Gender Issues, Literature, Peace, Race Issues, South Africa

1 memorial
Olaudah Equiano

Olaudah Equiano

Born in an African village, he was sold into slavery, first locally, then in England, then in America where he managed to buy his freedom. He returned to England and wrote the first autobiography o...

Person, Literature, Race Issues, Africa

6 memorials
Enid Blyton

Enid Blyton

Children's writer. Born Enid Mary Blyton at 354 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich. Best known for creating the character of Little Noddy and the 'Famous Five' stories. Her works have been translated into...

Person, Children, Literature, Race Issues, Seriously Famous

4 memorials
Black Consciousness Movement of Azania

Black Consciousness Movement of Azania

Organisation that was the external arm of the Black Consciousness Movement (BCM). An anti-apartheid activist movement that emerged in South Africa in the mid-1960s after the banning of the African ...

Group, Politics & Administration, Race Issues, South Africa

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Unknown warrior

Unknown warrior

The idea of a ceremonial burial for an unknown soldier came from a WW1 Army padre, Rev. David Railton.  The French and the British acted on the idea in 1920 and over the years many other countries ...

Person, Armed Forces, Religion

1 memorial
Battle of Trafalgar

Battle of Trafalgar

A sea battle that took place off Cape Trafalgar on the south west coast of Spain. Nelson led the British fleet to a decisive victory which permanently removed the threat of invasion of England by t...

Event, Armed Forces, France, Spain

9 memorials
Art Fund

Art Fund

"Helping museums and galleries buy art for everyone to enjoy".  Previously known as the National Art Collections Fund.

Group, Art, Benefactor

4 memorials
Grafitti Life
1 memorial
Bronze Age Ltd

Bronze Age Ltd

Casting foundry based at the Limehouse Basin. It provides a service to artists who wish to cast their original sculptures in bronze or aluminium. Owned and run by Mark Kennedy.

Group, Industry

5 memorials