Happy Hour: King George IV: The Worst Ruler in British History?
Sponsored by the ESU Richmond Branch. British historian, Sir Spencer Walpole, described King George IV (1762-1830) as "a bad son, a bad husband, a bad father, a bad subject, a bad monarch, and a bad friend." The Duke of Wellington was more charitable of the king, " was indeed the most extraordinary compound of talent, wit, buffoonery, obstinacy, and good feeling--in short, a medley of the most opposite qualities--with a great preponderance of good--that I ever saw in any character in my life." King George IV was known for his manners and charm but also for his drunkenness, spendthrift ways, and scandalous love life.