Queen Victoria
(1819-1901)
Who was Queen Victoria?
Queen for an age
People all over the world know the name of Queen Victoria. She is probably the
most famous queen in history. She was Queen of a vast empire, as well as of Britain.
A long period of history is named after her - the Victorian Age.
What does 'Victorian' mean?
It means 'to do with Victoria'. It's an adjective used to describe people and things
from her time. Victoria was Queen for over 60 years. Many things happened during
her life. We talk about 'Victorian' buildings or 'Victorian' furniture. This doesn't
mean that Queen Victoria made them herself! It usually means something dates
from the 1800s.
When did she live?
Victoria was born in 1819. She became Queen in 1837 when she was 18. Her reign
lasted for more than 60 years. Queen Victoria was born early in the 19th century.
She lived to see the start of the 20th century, dying in January 1901.
The Little Princess
Did she go to school?
Victoria did not go to school. Her German governess gave her lessons. Victoria
grew up speaking German as well as English.
Victoria was never left alone. But with no friends of her own age, the little princess
was lonely. She played with dolls. She was good at maths, music and drawing. She
had a pony called Rosa and a spaniel dog called Dash.
Meeting Albert
On her 17th birthday, Victoria was pleased to meet visitors from Germany. They
were her cousins Ernest and Albert. She liked Albert very much.
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Albert comes to call
In October 1839 cousin Albert came to visit again. Victoria asked him to marry her.
He could not ask her - she was the Queen! Victoria and Albert were married in
February 1840.
Victoria and Albert worked together each day. They had desks next to each other.
The Queen had to read lots of government letters and papers.
Queen and empire
What was the British Empire?
The British Empire included Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa and
India. Islands such as Jamaica and Barbados in the West Indies were in the British
Empire too. Victoria was Queen of the biggest empire in history. In 1877 she
became 'Empress of India’.
Victorian Britain
Great events
There were many great events in Victoria's lifetime. You can find some of them on
the timeline. Britain had the world's first steam railway. People had their photos
taken for the first time, had electric lights in their homes, made the first phone calls,
and went for their first car rides.
Changing Britain
In 1801 there were 16 million people in Britain. By 1901 when Victoria died there
were 41 million. When Victoria was a child, most people still lived and worked in
the countryside. When she died, Britain had become an industrial nation. Most
people lived in towns and cities.
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