William IV
Wednesday, October 07, 2009Prince William IV (Prince of Orange) was born in September of 1711 in Leeuwarden, The Netherlands. He was the son of King Johan Willem Friso and Queen Marie Louise of Hesse-Kassel (or Hesse-Cassel).
William succeeded his father as Stadtholder of Friesland and later also was elected stadholder of Groningen and Guelders.
On March 25, 1734 William married Princess Anne daughter of King George II of England. William and Anne had five children.
In April of 1747, during the War of the Austrian Succession, the French army invaded the Dutch controled area of Flanders. In attempt to reach peace, the States-General of the Netherlands appointed William to the position of General Stadtholder of all seven of the United Provinces.
William became the first man to be stadholder of all seven provinces with this movement, given more power than any of his predecessors.
William is described by historians as being intelligent and industrious but an incompetent leader.
Although he had little experience in state affairs, historians say William was at first popular with the people.
William served as General Stadtholder of the Netherlands until his death in 1751 at The Hague.
The city of Orangeburg, S.C. is named after him.
Sources: Wikipedia.org, The Dutch Royal House, Encyclopedia Britannica
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