Born: 14 December 1895 · Died: 6 February 1952 · Age: 56
King of the United Kingdom who took the throne after his brother's abdication, overcame a stammer and led Britain through the Second World War
Did you know?He competed in the men's doubles tournament at Wimbledon while he was still the Duke of York.
Quick facts
Date of birth14 December 1895
Date of death6 February 1952
Age at death56
Cause of deathLung cancer
NationalityBritish
BirthplaceYork Cottage, United Kingdom
Occupationmonarch, aristocrat, military officer
Editor's Take:
George VI never expected or wanted to be king. Shy and troubled by a severe stammer, he was happiest away from public life. Everything changed in 1936 when his brother Edward VIII gave up the throne to marry Wallis Simpson. With the help of speech therapist Lionel Logue and his wife Elizabeth, he learned to speak in public. During the Blitz the royal family stayed in London, and Buckingham Palace was bombed. That choice won them great affection. He died in 1952, and his daughter became Elizabeth II.
Key Milestones
1916: Jutland – naval battle
1923: Marriage to Elizabeth
1936: King – accession
1939: Speech – war broadcast
George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George; 14 December 1895 – 6 February 1952) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death in 1952.