George V (Great Britain)

George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert), 1865-1936, king of Great Britain and Ireland (1910-36), second son and successor of Edward VII. At the age of 12 he commenced a naval career, but this ended with the death (1892) of his elder brother, the duke of Clarence, which made him the eventual heir to the throne. In 1893 he married Victoria Mary, daughter of the duke of Teck. While his father was king (1901-10), George visited many parts of the British empire, developing an interest in imperial affairs that he maintained throughout his own reign. After his coronation (1911) he went to India for a coronation durbar in Delhi. Within the limitations of his constitutional position, he occasionally played a decisive personal part in political controversies, acting as moderator in the debates over the Parliament Act of 1911 (see Parliament ) and the Irish Home Rule Bill of 1914 and later helping in the formation of the national government of 1931. In 1917, during World War I, he abandoned his German titles and changed the name of the royal house from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor. The celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of his accession (May 6, 1935) showed the affection in which he was held by the British people. On his death (Jan. 20, 1936) George was succeeded by his eldest son, Edward VIII. His second son, on the abdication of Edward, took the throne as George VI.

Bibliography: See biographies by H. Nicolson (1952) and K. Rose (1983).

George V (1865–1936) King of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Emperor of India (1910–36), second son of Edward VII. He married Princess Mary of Teck in 1893. In 1917, George changed the name of the royal house from the German Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor. Honourable and devoted to duty, he maintained the popularity of the monarchy.

George V (1865–1936) King of Great Britain and Ireland (from 1920, Northern Ireland) and dependencies overseas, Emperor of India (1910–36). The son of EDWARD VII, he insisted that a general election should precede any reform of the House of LORDS (1911). He brought together party leaders at the Buckingham Palace Conference (1914) to discuss Irish HOME RULE. His acceptance of Ramsay MACDONALD as Prime Minister of a minority government in 1924, and of a NATIONAL GOVERNMENT in 1931, contained an element of personal choice. He was succeeded by EDWARD VIII.