Answer
The Elector of Hanover prior to George I was his father, Ernest Augustus, who held the position from 1692 until his death in 1698. Ernest Augustus was a prominent figure in European politics, serving as Prince-Bishop of Osnabrück and Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg during his lifetime. He played a significant role in the development and expansion of Hanover, making valuable contributions to its infrastructure, economy, and cultural landscape.