George VI (1895-1952) of the United Kingdom became king in December 1936, after his older brother, Edward VIII, abdicated. George VI, second son of George V, was a popular monarch because of his devotion to royal duty and due to his ordinary, modest personality.
Albert Frederick Arthur George was born on Dec. 14, 1895, in Sandringham, England. He was known as Prince Albert. He studied under private tutors and then went to Osborne and Dartmouth naval schools. Albert served in World War I (1914-1918) and fought in the Battle of Jutland in 1916. In 1918, he joined the Royal Flying Corps and became a wing commander. In 1919, Albert studied at Cambridge University. In 1920, he became Duke of York. In 1923, he married Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon.
King George and Elizabeth toured Canada and South Africa, and became the first British monarchs to visit North America. During World War II (1939-1945), the royal family endeared itself to the people by sharing dangers and hardships with them. Welfare measures enacted following the war included socialized medicine and the nationalization of the Bank of England, the railways, and other industries. India gained independence in 1947, and the words “Emperor of India” were dropped from the king’s title. George VI died on Feb. 6, 1952.
George had two daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret. He was succeeded by the older daughter, who became Elizabeth II.
