King Frederick William IV was the King of Prussia from 1840 until his death in 1861. He was known for his romantic ideals and his opposition to the unification of Germany under a strong central government. Frederick William IV believed in a more decentralized and constitutional monarchy, which influenced his policies during his reign. He was also a patron of the arts and supported various cultural initiatives, including the construction of the Neues Museum in Berlin. His reign was marked by political unrest, particularly during the Revolutions of 1848, which challenged his authority and vision for Prussia.