William IV

William IV was King of the United Kingdom from 1830 until his death in 1837. Known as the 'Sailor King' due to his naval background, he ascended the throne after the death of his brother, King George IV. His reign was marked by significant political reform, including the Reform Act of 1832, which began the process of expanding the electorate. Despite his relatively short reign, William IV's time as king saw the abolition of slavery in the British Empire and improvements in social conditions. He was succeeded by his niece, Queen Victoria, who was only 18 at the time and went on to have a profound impact on British history.