Some great facts about the Victorians covering many aspects of their life in England and indeed throughout the British Empire. The Victorian times were a fantastic place for some, but many of the poorer Victorians lived a hard life in poverty.
– The Victorian Era was from 1837-1901 when Queen Victoria was in power.
– Victorian Britain became the richest and most powerful country in the world.
– When Queen Victoria came into power only 20% of Victorians lived in towns and cities, rising to 75% by her death.
– The British population rose from 16 million to 37 million in the Victorian Era.
– The Industrial Revolution saw new inventions and a growing economy.
– Gothic Architecture was popular, copying many 13th century styles for Victorian buildings.
– Victorians loved to use Iron and Glass to make impressive buildings and structures.
– Early Victorians mainly relied on foot or horse to travel.
– Most Victorians had no running water in their homes.
– There were many homeless adults and children on the streets.
– Rich Victorians devoted a lot of time and effort in fashion.
– Rich people enjoyed great life with new found luxuries and inventions.
– Many working class girls became maids working from 6am-10pm.
– Some Victorians turned to crime to make a living.
– Victorian authorities often saw poverty as a result of laziness and drunkenness.
– Mining was one of the deadliest jobs for the Victorians.
– Even children as young as 5 in poorer families were made to work.
– Victorian Fathers were strict towards the children and even mother.
– Families without a father were often sent to workhouses with their mother.
– Children were often punished and beat by family, bosses and even strangers.
– The Victorian Era saw many inventors and entrepreneurs.
– In 1837 the Telegraph was invented, which was compared to us inventing the Internet.
– Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone and the first call took place in 1876.
– Victorians saw the invention of the light bulb start to light up homes and streets.
– Victorians saw the camera become more commonplace.
– The refrigerator was invented in 1900 to combat keeping food fresh.
– Railways and Steam trains took off with 35,000km of track being laid by 1900.
– Travel Agencies began to open in Victorian times due to better methods of travel.
– Victorians enjoyed trips to the seaside to escape the city.
– At the end of the Victorian Era petrol powered cars owned by the rich started to take to the roads.
– Victorian Doctors made surgery easier and less painful.
– Charles Dickens became the most famous storyteller of the Victorian Era.
– Victorians invented and took part in many popular sports.
– Wealthy Victorians looking for a cleaner, healthier life headed for Scotland.
– The Rich enjoyed many exotic foods from all corners of the British Empire.
– Ice cream was first seen and very popular in the later period of the Victorian times.
– Most Victorians would go to church most Sundays practicing Christianity.
– In 1859 Charles Darwin shook religious leaders by publishing “Origin of species”.
– There were many pickpockets throughout the big towns and cities.
– Victorians could end up in prison for not paying debts.
– In the second half of the 19th century most cities had a police force.
– Police started using science to catch criminals using fingerprints and blood samples.
– Jack the Ripper, a serial killer in the Victorian times was never caught.
– Most working class children had to work rather than learn.
– Punishments were common place at schools for disruptive and even less clever children.
– Some Victorians opened free schools for poor children.
– Victorians loved playing games to occupy themselves, some we still play today.
– Victorians had a passion for playing and listening to music.
– The Victorians loved Christmas and started many of the traditions we see today.
– Queen Victoria Died in 1901 after more than 60 years in power.