Figure from the Museum of Ventura County collection.

George III 1780 nicknamed Farmer George for his passion for agriculture and

George III, Britain lost most of its colonies in North America to the United States.

A serious monarch, greatly underrated.

During the middle reign of George III, Britain lost most of its colonies in North America to the United States. The king viewed the colonials as second class citizens, who were not entitled to representation in Parliament. When Parliament bypassed the colonial assemblies and imposed direct taxes on colonist activities, the populace took up arms. On the domestic front, George III was nicknamed Farmer George because of his passion for agriculture and "his plain, homely, thrifty lifestyle and tastes.” He attempted to imbue his many children with the love of farming by demanding that each work their own vegetable garden in what is now the Chew Gardens area.

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