George I

George I., King of Great Britain, son of Ernest Augustus, Elector of Hanover, was born in 1660. In 1682 he married his cousin, the Princess Sophia Dorothea of Zell, but she was divorced in 1694, and during the rest of her life was confined in the castle of Ahlden. George became Elector of Hanover in 1698, and commanded the Imperial forces in the war with France. On the death of Queen Anne, in July, 1714, he was proclaimed King of Great Britain and Ireland, in accordance with the Act of Settlement. His arrival in England was followed by the formation of a Whig Ministry, and the Whigs remained in office throughout the reign. In 1715 the Jacobites made an abortive attempt at insurrection, which was suppressed by the defeat of the Earl of Mar at Sheriffmuir (November 13), and the surrender of Forster at Preston on the same day. This rebellion led to the passing of the Septennial Act in 1716. [England.] In 1720 the South Sea Bubble (q.v.) involved thousands of families in ruin.

George I. was a man of coarse tastes and immoral life. He could not speak English, and took little interest in English politics, leaving the conduct of affairs to Sir Robert Walpole (q.v.), who became Premier in 1721. Most of his time was spent in Hanover. He died at Osnabriick, whilst returning thence, on June 9, 1727.