Today in History #January 29, 1820

This day back in 1820, King George III dies at the age of 82, after retiring from the public life due to 10 years struggling with mental illness. The king suffered a short nervous breakdown in 1765 and in winter 1788-89 the illness prolonged causing him to be permanently insane by 1810 due to hereditary disease porphyria which is a defect of the blood that causes mental illness when treated.

After his death in 1820, his son, the Prince of Wales, ascended to the throne as King George IV. May he rest in peace.