King James I of England, born in 1567, was the first monarch to rule both England and Scotland, uniting the crowns in 1603. He was the son of Mary, Queen of Scots and became king after the death of Queen Elizabeth I. His reign is noted for the establishment of the Stuart dynasty and the promotion of the arts and literature. James I is also famous for commissioning the King James Version of the Bible, published in 1611, which has had a lasting impact on English literature and language. His rule faced challenges, including political conflicts and the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, which aimed to assassinate him.