King William IV

by Philip Ziegler

Excellent Book

Genres: Biography

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 3, 1972

About the author

Philip Ziegler was a British biographer and historian known for his meticulously researched works on historical figures and events. After studying at Eton and New College, Oxford, he served in the British Foreign Service, with postings in Laos, South Africa, Colombia, and NATO. He later transitioned into publishing and writing, eventually becoming a distinguished biographer.
His notable works include Mountbatten: The Official Biography, Edward VIII: The Official Biography, and The Black Death. He also wrote about figures such as Lord Melbourne, Harold Wilson, and George VI. Over the years, Ziegler contributed to major publications like The Spectator, The Times, and History Today.
His personal life was marked by tragedy when his first wife was killed during a home invasion in Bogotá in 1967. He later remarried and continued his literary career until his passing in 2023 at the age of 93.

Reviews

[Nick Artrip · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Any family may be forgiven one profligate but when so many children go badly wrong some degree of parental carelessness may be suspected.”

For my next read I selected King William IV by Phillip Ziegler. William IV ascended to the British throne in 1830 at a dangerous time for the monarchy. Revolutions abroad, agricultural depressions at home, and the miserable conditions of the new industrial towns threatened the stability of the crown. Based on a lifetime of debauchery and disreputability, William IV's reign could've easily been a disaster. Yet, his short reign managed to oversee a time of great change in Britain while acting as a bridge to the Victorian era.

When it comes to personality, Willie was a jolly good fellow, well…at least compared to his brothers and father. He had many of the same traits (a penchant for drinking, fighting, and womanizing) but he was generally considered to be much more amiable. He was well-intentioned, but somewhat insensitive. Frank in his manner, not afraid of an obscenity, and he loved a good little joke. He seems to have been a much better father than his own. He certainly had negative qualities, like his gross dependance upon Mrs. Jordan, but he was a bit of fresh air after revisiting George IV.

"The first broad principle on which he based his conduct was that it was the King's duty to support his minister, whether or not he liked their policies."

As the last of the male Hanoverian monarchs, William enjoyed much greater popularity than his predecessors. Despite some of his resistance and poor treatment of the Whigs during the passage of the Great Reform Act, he was much more flexible than dear old Prinny. He was a reluctant reformer, and he made a misstep in dismissing Melbourne’s Whig government, but he certainly left Victoria a throne that was much more secure than the one he inherited. He was much more familiar, and perhaps even overly familiar. Some of the anecdotes that Ziegler cites are the stuff of comedy. The author makes it quite easy to see why he held such appeal (and also how off-putting his bluntness could be!)

This biography definitely shows its age in certain places, perhaps mostly notably in the discussion of William’s views on slavey and the dissolution of his relationship with Mrs. Jordan. Although Ziegler does acknowledge he was wrong in both instances, he also seems to make space to condone his thoughts and actions as well. It’s quite odd. I think the discussion of Mrs. Jordan was honest, of course, but some of the language was quite sexist. Overall, I enjoyed this volume. Although a bit drier in the final chapters that focus on the political circumstances of his reign, Ziegler has a flare of wit that shines through that often provided the text with an entertaining quality.

[Jeffrey Thiessen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A relatively concise biography of the largely forgotten monarch whose reign fell between that of his flamboyant elder brother, King George IV (before that as the Prince Regent), and his niece Queen Victoria. For the most part, this is a good work but I did get lost in some of the political maneuverings that are described in the book. King William IV reigned from 1830 to 1837.

[Teddy Dodger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good. Does everything you'd expect of a biography for a King like this; suitable distribution between his 65 years before the throne and seven on it.

A good King, a flawed man, and a good conservator of an institution which, given events in Europe, was not destined to last the 1830s.

[Mary Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of information! But very dry reading. Early years easier than later years to read.