King George V (1865-1936)

[Mapple]

Does anyone have an English text of John Betjeman's elegy on the death of King George V? I have read a Russian translation of it.

[btsnyder]

Can anyone recommend a good biography on King George V? I've always been interested in him, but have never found a good bio. Let me know!

[Mapple]

Originally Posted by btsnyder

Can anyone recommend a good biography on King George V? I've always been interested in him, but have never found a good bio. Let me know!

King George V by Kenneth Rose (1983), a well-researched and very detailed book.

[Elspeth]

That's the official biography, isn't it? If it's out of print, it's quite easy to get hold of second-hand over the internet; that's how I got my copy.

[selrahc4]

Originally Posted by Elspeth

That's the official biography, isn't it? If it's out of print, it's quite easy to get hold of second-hand over the internet; that's how I got my copy.

Harold Nicholson wrote the authorized bio, "King George The Fifth: His Life and Reign".l

[Avareenah]

The Kenneth Rose book King George V is a good biography and as official as you can get, but it is sadly lacking in covering George's life before he became King in 1910.

[Royal Fan]

He was such an interesting man Ive read he was close to his cousin the Tsar (Who looked alot like him) was he Godfather to any of Nicholas Offspring also how were they alike and how were they different

[lilibet80]

Originally Posted by Mapple

I mentioned earlier that King George V was poisoned by his doctor when the King was dying. Here is a link to an article in the BMJ that details the circumstances of the King's death.

A king, a doctor, and a convenient death -- Ramsay 308 (6941): 1445 -- BMJ

I am a doctor myself, and I find the actions of Lord Dawson abhorrent. The King was comatose, and the doctor did not relieve him of suffering--he merely ensured the time of death, making the life of King George V depending on the time of starting the printing presses.

It is reprehensible, but Queen Mary approved of it so he did it.

[Roderick]

lilibet80: I know of no documented evidence that Queen Mary approved of the euthanasia of her husband King George V by his doctor Lord Dawson. I do not think she was aware of this action nor do I think she would have sanctioned it. Lord Dawson indicated that he acted alone in this decision.

Would you please provide any information you have on this matter?

Thank you.