George William, Elector of Brandenburg, was born on November 26, 1595, and ruled from 1619 until his death in 1640. He was a member of the House of Hohenzollern and played a significant role during the Thirty Years' War, a conflict that devastated much of Europe. His reign was marked by efforts to maintain neutrality and protect his territories from the war's destruction. As a ruler, George William focused on strengthening his state and promoting economic recovery. He established alliances and sought to modernize his administration, laying the groundwork for the future expansion of the Brandenburg-Prussia state under his successors.