EDWARD VII. (1841-1. King of the Unit ed Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and of all the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Emperor of India. The second child and eldest son of Queen Victoria and the Prince Consort Albert (q.v.). He was born in Buckingham Palace. London, on November 9, 1841. and was christened Albert Edward. lle succeeded his mother on January 22, 1901. At his birth he was created Prince of Wales. and by virtue of that dignity he became also Knight of the Garter. As heir apparent to the British throne he suc ceeded to the title of Duke of Cornwall and its emoluments. As heir to the crown of Scot land he became Great Steward of Scotland. Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew. and Lord of the Isles. On September 10. 1S-19. he was created Earl of Dublin. a title con ferred on him and his heirs in perpetuity. Ad ditional titles and commands borne by him are: Duke of Saxony. colonel of the Tenth Hussars. colonel-in-chief of the Rifle Brigade, field-mar shal of the British Army (1S75). also of the German Army 11SR31. Ile received an elaborate and carefully planned education tinder four pri vate tutors, and subsequently under Baron Stock mar and Charles Kingsley. The spent a session at Edinburgh University, a year at Oxford. and four terms at Cambridge. in ISG0 he traveled through Canada and the United States. In June, 1861. lie joined the army at the Curragh Camp. Ireland. The next year he made a tour of the Orient. accompanied by Dean Stanley of West minster, and vi-ited Jerusalem and other places of biblical interest.
In February. 1863, hi- ',oldie life was formally begun, when, as heir to the throne, he took his seat in the House of Lords. and on. Mardi loth of the same year lie married Princess Alexandra Caroline Mary Charlotte Louisa eldest daughter of King Christian IX. of Denmark, born December 1. Is44. They have had six children: (11 Prince Albert Victor Christian Ed ward. Duke of Clarence and Avondale, born January S. IS61; died January 14, 1892. (2) Prince George Frederick Ernest Albert, Prince of \Vales, formerly Duke of York, the present heir apparent, born June :3, 1865; married Princess Slay of Teck, July 6, 1893. (3) Princess Louisa Victoria Alexandra Dagmar, born February 20, 1s67; married, July 27, 1889. to the Earl, afterwards Duke, of Fife. (4 ( Princess Vie toria Alexandra Olga Mary. horn July 6. 1A6S.
(5) Princess Maude Charlotte Mary Victoria, born November 26. 1869; married, July 22. 1896. to Prime Charles of Denmark. (6) Prince Alex ander John Charles Albert, horn April 6, 1871, who died the next day.
Typhoid fever seriously threatened the Prince's life in 1S72, and his recovery was celebrated with a thanksgiving, and enthusiasm through out the Kingdom and Empire that testified to his wide popularity. in 1874 he was elected and installed with elaborate eerennoty as Grand Master of the Freemasons. He an extended tour through the Indian Empire in 1875-76, and was received everywhere with lavish and magnificent hospitality and every expression of loyalty. During the long years of his prince hood his public duties consisted solely in the arduous office of representation, a toil and tax of a nature not sufficiently appreciated be cause not understood. A liberal patron of art and science, he manifested a lively interest in exhibitions, charitable institutions, the housing of the poor, agriculture. etc. He assisted in pro moting the Royal College of Music, and the Im perial institute is due to his suggestion. He carefully abstained front participation in politics, and from all action which could be construed into preference of one party over another. He culti vated the most friendly relations with public amen, whatever their opinions might be. and lie was equally courteous to all. At peculiar crises of public opinion, his visits to Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Bright. and other prominent of the Liberal Party did much to counterbalance in the public mind the Queen's preference for her Con servative ministers.
All preparations for the coronation had been made for June 26. 1902, when disquieting rumors of the King's ill health, which had been current for several days previously, were confirmed by the postponement of the ceremonies and the nouncement of perityphlitis as the cause of his illness. Ile underwent an operation on the 24th of June and after some weeks of great anxiety recovered. The adjourned coronation took place on August 9, 1902. With the exception of IV.. lie is the oldest monarch who has ascended the throne of England since Egbert. Consult : The Peirate Life of King Edward Ell. (New York. 19011: Life of the King. by 'One of His Majesty's Servants' (London, 1901) ; From I oolie to Crown (London, 1902).