George III (1738-1820, reigned 1760-1820) was ruler of Britain during the years in which American colonists fought for their independence in the Revolutionary War. Both the city of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County were named to honor his wife, Charlotte-Sophia of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Germany.

King George tried in many ways to keep the American colonists from breaking away from Britain. He refused to grant permission for the operation of Charlotte's Queens College and spoke out against the settlers' rebellion. Under his rule, harsh trade restrictions and tax laws were imposed against the colonists. King George III sent troops to the American colonies to try and suppress uprisings against British authority. These attempts ultimately failed and led to the American Revolutionary War.

He suffered from mental illness and went blind in 1809. George IV carried out the rest of his father's reign until King George III died in 1820.