The fourth of the Hanoverian kings and also the fourth George in the dynasty, George is known for his Regency Period (the era in history when he served as regent in place of his mentally-ill father) and for his extravagant lifestyle. From Prince Regent to King of a growing British Empire, George IV’s reign generated pretty interesting facts, though mostly for scandalous … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts about King George IV
Victorian Era History Articles
‘Rare’ Joseph Wright of Derby self-portrait ‘saved for the nation’
A “remarkable” self-portrait by world-renowned artist Joseph Wright of Derby has been acquired in a “triumph” for the world’s largest collection of his work, having been privately owned for 250 years. The artwork, titled Self-Portrait At The Age of About Forty, has been acquired by Derby Museums and will go on public display in the Joseph Wright Gallery from May 17. It is … [Read more...] about ‘Rare’ Joseph Wright of Derby self-portrait ‘saved for the nation’
Florence Nightingale letter on display in Chichester after spending 140 years in scrapbook
An original letter by Florence Nightingale in which she writes of her poor health following her return from the Crimean War has gone on display for the first time. The handwritten note by the nursing pioneer from 1872 is being put on show by the University of Chichester to mark International Nursing Day on Thursday, May 12. In the letter, which was found in near-pristine … [Read more...] about Florence Nightingale letter on display in Chichester after spending 140 years in scrapbook
Mystery solved: Victorian orphan who asked not to be forgotten was US hero
A Victorian orphanage choirboy, who hid a letter in a church pew asking not to be forgotten, went on to become a US naval hero, it has been revealed. Written in 1897 by 13-year-old William Elliott, the note was recently found by workmen renovating Sunderland’s former Holy Trinity Church. The choirboy, whose time at the nearby Sunderland Orphanage Asylum was drawing to an end, … [Read more...] about Mystery solved: Victorian orphan who asked not to be forgotten was US hero
Victorian Britain: Ten Important Events of the 1890s
As the Victorian period began to come to a close, the United Kingdom prepared itself for the 20th Century by becoming more progressive, increasing its influence, and seeing the publication of some of its greatest literary works. It also celebrated a milestone for the first time in its history when Queen Victoria reached the 60th year of her reign. Britain was at the cusp of a … [Read more...] about Victorian Britain: Ten Important Events of the 1890s
Choirboy’s hidden note found in church pew 125 years on
A hidden message from an orphanage choirboy pleading not to be forgotten has been found after it lay undisturbed in a church pew for 125 years. The letter by 13-year-old William Elliott was written on August 11 1897 on the back of a chorister’s order of service at Sunderland Parish Church. Work was carried out during lockdown to restore the Grade I Georgian listed … [Read more...] about Choirboy’s hidden note found in church pew 125 years on
Rescued Victorian-era rainfall data rewrites UK weather records
Millions of archived rainfall records dating back nearly 200 years which were digitized by volunteers during the pandemic have broken UK weather records and provided researchers with decades more data on weather trends. The University of Reading’s Rainfall Rescue project involved the transcription of 130 years worth of handwritten rainfall records – more than five million … [Read more...] about Rescued Victorian-era rainfall data rewrites UK weather records
Victorian Britain: Ten Most Important Events of the 1870s
The 1870s proved to be yet another transformational time for the United Kingdom. Wars raged on nearly every continent, while at home, Britain experienced social and economic advancement. From 1871 to 1880, the UK saw everything from new sports championships to an improvement in the quality of life for children. To document the ten most important events of the decade, we have … [Read more...] about Victorian Britain: Ten Most Important Events of the 1870s
Queen Victoria’s lost Japanese screen paintings rediscovered in Royal Collection
A pair of lost Japanese folding screen paintings sent to Queen Victoria in 1860 as part of a lavish diplomatic gift have been rediscovered in the Royal Collection. The screens, which were thought not to have survived, will go on public display next month for the first time since they arrived more than a century and a half ago. Extensive conservation work since they were … [Read more...] about Queen Victoria’s lost Japanese screen paintings rediscovered in Royal Collection
Victorian Britain: Ten Important Events in British History of the 1860s
The 1860s moved the United Kingdom closer to the country that we recognize today. From 1861 to 1870, organizations formed that are household names, wars were fought that became the basis of classic films, and engineering marvels became an indelible part of our modern world. Each year of the decade saw a formative event in British history, and we have laid out each of them … [Read more...] about Victorian Britain: Ten Important Events in British History of the 1860s
Victorian Britain: Ten Most Important Events of the 1850s
As the British Empire continued to expand its power and influence over the globe, the greatness of Britain was on exhibit at home. The decade from 1851 to 1860 saw exploration and war abroad while new publications, monuments, and institutions were established domestically. It was a decade in which the United Kingdom came into its own as a world power and it let everyone else … [Read more...] about Victorian Britain: Ten Most Important Events of the 1850s
Victorian Britain: Ten Important Events of the 1840s
The first full decade of the Victorian Era, the 1840s, saw a wave of changes that would shake the United Kingdom and the British Empire forever. From new governments at home to new territory abroad, Britain as we know it was fundamentally altered every year. New stories and doctrines found their ways to print, not only shaping the country but the rest of the world. Truly, 1841 … [Read more...] about Victorian Britain: Ten Important Events of the 1840s
Brit History: Ten Most Important Events in British History of the 1830s – Victorian Era Begins
The 1830s saw the beginning of one of the most important periods of British history—the Victorian era. While the period of Queen Victoria’s reign would certainly see the greatest expansion of the British Empire since Queen Elizabeth I, there were also plenty of things that happened before Victoria came to power. From election reform to the abolition of slavery, much progress … [Read more...] about Brit History: Ten Most Important Events in British History of the 1830s – Victorian Era Begins
19th Century Britain: Ten of the Most Important Events of the 1820s
New King, new decade. With King George IV coming into power in 1820, 1821 saw the start of a new era for both the Crown and for the United Kingdom. The period from 1821 to 1830 would see a number of great advances for Britain, including new knowledge of language and history, new sweets for the sweet, and new technology to help us capture those special moments. With so many … [Read more...] about 19th Century Britain: Ten of the Most Important Events of the 1820s
Historic Birnbeck Pier in Somerset to be renovated and returned to use for the RNLI
After years of decline, a historic Victorian pier is to be renovated and will have a new owner. The RNLI is returning to Weston-super-Mare’s Birnbeck Pier as part of a deal with North Somerset Council to safeguard the landmark’s future. Owner CNM Estates has agreed to sell the derelict Grade II listed-pier to the council, and renovation work will be carried out to transform … [Read more...] about Historic Birnbeck Pier in Somerset to be renovated and returned to use for the RNLI
Collection of Lord Byron’s personal items go on display at Edinburgh University
Prized personal items from the poet Lord Byron have gone on display at the University of Edinburgh. The items are from the poet’s final trip to Greece, a country he visited frequently. George Gordon Byron grew up in Aberdeenshire, but he was a dedicated supporter of the Greek struggle for independence, which began 200 years ago. He died in the Greek town of … [Read more...] about Collection of Lord Byron’s personal items go on display at Edinburgh University
World’s first postage stamp expected to fetch up to £6m at auction
The world’s first postage stamp, hailed as the most important piece of philatelic history in existence, will go under the hammer in an auction at Sotheby’s. The Penny Black, the earliest securely dated example of the very first postage stamp, is expected to fetch between £4 million and £6 million when it is sold at Sotheby’s in December as part of the Treasures … [Read more...] about World’s first postage stamp expected to fetch up to £6m at auction
Victorian coin found under mast of Nelson’s flagship to go on display
Conservation workers have discovered a 127-year-old farthing which had been placed under the mast of Nelson’s flagship, HMS Victory, for good luck. The Victorian-era coin was found when the mast of the Royal Navy’s oldest commissioned warship was removed for restoration work in May. Now it is to go on display to mark Trafalgar Day, October 21, at the National Museum of the … [Read more...] about Victorian coin found under mast of Nelson’s flagship to go on display
Prince Albert’s online archive reveals marital tiffs and his frank views
A note from Prince Albert ruling out a potential master of Queen Victoria's royal household because he had a "French mistress" is among the final items to be added to his online collection. The archive also contains intimate messages between the prince and the Queen that reveal marital arguments, with Albert writing to tell his wife she lost her "self-control" during one … [Read more...] about Prince Albert’s online archive reveals marital tiffs and his frank views
New set of Royal Mail stamps issued exploring Industrial Revolution inventions
A new set of stamps is being issued marking some of the engineering and technical advances that were part of the Industrial Revolution. The stamps feature Watt’s rotative steam engine, the Penydarren locomotive, Spinning jenny, Lombe’s silk mill, and Portland cement. Royal Mail is also releasing a miniature sheet of stamps depicting advances of the Electric Revolution and the … [Read more...] about New set of Royal Mail stamps issued exploring Industrial Revolution inventions
Places to Visit in Britain for Sherlock Holmes Fans
Certainly the greatest fictional detective of all time, Sherlock Holmes first appeared in the story “A Study in Scarlet” in The Strand Magazine in 1887. The creation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle appeared over fifty-six short stories and four novels (not counting works by other authors). Of course, while Holmes himself was fictional, many of the places he visited were quite … [Read more...] about Places to Visit in Britain for Sherlock Holmes Fans
Brit History: Ten of the Most Important Events in British History from 1900 – 1910
In many ways, the 20th Century was an incredibly transformative period of British history. Each decade had moments that would shape not only the years to come but still influence us today. As we go forward in this new series of ten momentous events for every decade, we kick off the inaugural article with a bonus year of 1900, which is both the last year of the 19th Century … [Read more...] about Brit History: Ten of the Most Important Events in British History from 1900 – 1910
Great British Icons: Tate & Lyle Sugar
At one point the world’s largest sugar refiners, Tate & Lyle was formed in 1921 by the merger of two family businesses. One was founded by Henry Tate, who began as a grocer in 1839, and the other by Abram Lyle, who created Golden Syrup, an iconic British product still sold today in British grocery stores, in a tin with the original 1885 design. These businesses both ended … [Read more...] about Great British Icons: Tate & Lyle Sugar
The First Victorian Christmas Trees
Christmas trees are a practically essential part of Christmas. Whether you opt for a real or fake tree, color or white lights, a star or an angel, nearly everyone who celebrates Christmas has one in their homes. It seems inconceivable that there was ever a time when these decorations weren’t part of our holiday cheer, but in the history of the holiday, they’re fairly recent … [Read more...] about The First Victorian Christmas Trees
Great British Icons: Meccano – A British Christmas Gift Staple For Generations
Frank Hornby had no training as an engineer, but he had a natural talent for working with his hands, and an enthusiasm for trains and models. He created a system for his son of sheet-metal parts that could be bolted together to make different models of cranes and trucks. Giving up his job as a bookkeeper, he started a factory to sell these kits, and he built an industrial … [Read more...] about Great British Icons: Meccano – A British Christmas Gift Staple For Generations
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