Fortescue, J. W. (John William), Sir, 1859-1933

George III, King of Great Britain, was born in 1738, the son of Frederick Lewis, Prince of Wales, and Augusta of Saxe-Gotha. He ascended to the throne on October 25, 1760, following the death of his grandfather, King George II, although he was not formally crowned until September 22, 1761. He married Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744-1818) on September 8, 1761. During the early years of his reign, Great Britain cycled through multiple administrations. By the early years of Lord North's ministry in the 1770s, domestic political matters became more settled, while international affairs became increasingly heated. King George took a strong, though ultimately unsuccessful, stand against rebelling North American colonists in the mid-1770s, and domestic matters became increasingly difficult following Great Britain's peace negotiations with the newly independent United States in 1783. Political turbulence in France and Ireland also affected British political life during this period. By 1810, George III had become effectively incapacitated by mental illness, and he remained secluded in Windsor Castle until his death on January 29, 1820.

From the guide to the Correspondence of King George the Third transcripts, 1783-1810, (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan)

Fortescue was an English military historian. He served as librarian at Windsor Castle from 1905 to 1926. Wells was a rare book dealer and educator.

From the description of Letters to Edgar Huidekoper Wells, 1919-1930. (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 122505766

Fortescue was an English military historian. He served as librarian at Windsor Castle from 1905 to 1926.

Edgar Huidekoper Wells, Harvard graduate of Class of 1897, served in the first World War in the American Red Cross and then as an army officer attached to the U.S. Embassy in London. He operated Edgar H. Wells and Company, a book shop in New York City, from 1921 to 1938. For many years until his death in 1938 he was one of the most respected members of the rare book trade.

From the guide to the Letters to Edgar Huidekoper Wells, 1919-1930., (Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University)