George FitzClarence, 1st Earl Of Munster

George Augustus Frederick FitzClarence, 1st Earl of Munster, was born on 29 January 1794 and died on 20 March 1842. He was an English peer and soldier, the eldest illegitimate son of Prince William, Duke of Clarence and St Andrews—later King William IV—and his long-time mistress Dorothea Jordan. His surname, FitzClarence, was derived from his father's dukedom.

FitzClarence received a comprehensive education, although his written English was reportedly poor, similar to some of his royal uncles. Following his parents' separation in 1811, he, along with his siblings, had limited contact with his mother, relying instead on expectations from his father.

In his military career, FitzClarence served as an army officer during the Peninsular War and later in India. He attained the rank of major-general in the British Army and held several official positions, including aide-de-camp to his father, King William IV, from 1830 to 1837. He was also Lieutenant of the Tower of London between 1831 and 1833, and served as Constable and Governor of Windsor Castle from 1833 until his death in 1842. Additionally, he was aide-de-camp to Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1841 and attended her coronation in June 1838. In 1841, he was elected president of the Royal Asiatic Society.

Following his father's accession to the throne in 1830, FitzClarence was created Earl of Munster, Viscount FitzClarence, and Baron Tewkesbury on 4 June 1831. He was appointed to the Privy Council in 1833.

FitzClarence married Mary Wyndham on 18 October 1819. Mary was the daughter of George Wyndham, 3rd Earl of Egremont, and his mistress Elizabeth Fox. The couple had seven children:

- Lady Adelaide Georgiana FitzClarence (1820–1883), who died unmarried.

- Lady Augusta Margaret FitzClarence (1822–1846), who married Baron Knut Philip Bonde and died of childbed fever in Sweden, leaving one daughter.

- William George FitzClarence, 2nd Earl of Munster (1824–1901).

- Hon Frederick Charles George FitzClarence (1826–1878), who married Adelaide Augusta Wilhelmine Sidney; they had no children.

- Lady Mary Gertrude FitzClarence (ca. 1832–1834), who died in infancy.

- Captain Hon George FitzClarence (1836–1894), who married Maria Henrietta Scott and had issue, including Charles FitzClarence.

- Lieutenant Hon Edward FitzClarence (1837–1855), who died unmarried from wounds sustained during the Siege of Sevastopol in the Crimean War.

FitzClarence's health and mental state declined in later years. His family was aware of his deteriorating condition, and speculation exists that he may have suffered from porphyria, a hereditary illness potentially affecting multiple generations of his family.

He died by suicide in London at the age of 48. He shot himself with a pistol that had been presented to him by King George IV, his grandfather. His first shot wounded his hand; while his footman was summoned, FitzClarence placed the gun in his mouth and shot himself. His death was considered unsurprising by his family, who had long been concerned about his mental health. An inquest concluded that he was likely experiencing madness at the time of his death.

His titles passed to his eldest son, William. An estate auction of his library took place in 1855, with records suggesting some of the books may have belonged to him or his son.

FitzClarence authored several works, including "Memoirs of the Late War" (1831), which narrates his experiences during the Peninsular War; an Arabic and Persian language catalogue list of desired library acquisitions ("Fahrasat al-kutub allatī narghabu an nabtāʻahā", 1840); and "Meadows of Gold and Mines of Gems" (1841), a translation and commentary on the historical encyclopedia "Murudj al-dhaha" by al-Masudi, which he assisted in translating and annotating.