George III: America’s Last King

Learn more about the infamous monarch with historian Jim Sefcik!

Jim Sefcik will examine the King’s background and personal life, especially those who influenced him the most, his role during the War for American Independence, two events during that time that he had to deal with in addition to the war, and his health leading to his ultimate demise. He was king from 1760 to 1820! And although a Hanoverian as were his 2 immediate predecessors, George regarded himself as an Englishman through and through. Was he a womanizer? Was he "mad"? How was he regarded by his subjects?

Jim Sefcik was born in Troy and is a graduate of the Vincentian Institute in Albany but left the area to continue his higher education in Philadelphia and South Bend, Indiana, earning degrees in History. He has taught undergraduate and graduate courses on the American Revolution before joining the museum field and worked in a variety of positions at the NYS Museum, the Chrysler Museum, and the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. In 1987, Jim was appointed Director of the Louisiana State Museum system, retiring in 2004. He began a consulting business thereafter with the New Netherland Institute as a major client and returned to Upstate NY.

Jim has returned to lecturing on various aspects of the American Revolution at UCALL, ALL Saratoga, Cape Cod Community College, and HVCC. He is the author of more than 30 articles. Last year, he was appointed to the Board of Fort Ticonderoga.