One could say that Queen Victoria personified the spirit of nineteenth-century England; she was Queen of the United Kingdom, Great Britain, and Ireland as well as Empress of India. She was also the mother of nine children. Her monarchy was a model of respectability, self-righteousness, conservatism, and the domestic virtues. England's world power expanded because of the critical role she played during the beginning of the century. Even when Napoleon was involved with all the affairs of Europe, Queen Elizabeth continued to isolate England and develop it into the first modern industrial state. She acquired money, skilled workers, and formed a government that couldn't interfere with business relations. All of this enabled middle class workers to be ambitious owners and inventors of products and factories. The British perfected the factory and transportation system, and by 1850 England had eighteen thousand cotton mills and made half the pig iron in the world. It also had five thousand miles of railroad track to easily transport goods. Simply put, it became the most powerful, modern, and wealthy country in the World. The middle class became self-made men and women who reaped of profits and who were very proud of their hard work and strict moral disciplines. Most of them became extremely religious and sure of their success as being the work of God. As the power and wealth grew of the middle class, they began to demand a share in governing, and got it in the Reform Bill of 1832. This gave them the right to hold elective office and vote for candidates. Prosperity brought a large number of new readers, with money to spend on books and periodicals. Because of this, writers were respected more during the Victorian era than at any time in English literary history. People loved the works of the well-known and sought their company when it was possible. Great Victorian writers had the attention of the political and social leaders - whenever they spoke, everyone listened. Typical Victorian houses were owned by a relatively small number of people. Others lived in cottage with very few of the comforts that were available to the more fortunate. Victorian homes are usually elaborate and asymmetrical. They consist of red brick and wood, and often include towers, bay windows, balconies, porches. They are decorated with stained glass, fancy shingles, and sometimes carved stone. The Victorians believed that the home was tremendously important, especially when visitors and family members were involved. In essence, the Victorian age was one of prosperity and strict morals. People were profiting like never before, and literature was highly important in the society. The Victorian era can be described as the forte of European economy and importance; and most of it is thanks to Queen Victoria.

Contents Artwork Victorian artwork by Henrietta Rae, Lawrence Alma-Tadema, Edwin Landseer, and John Collier. Click on the icons for the full version of the work. I'll Not Weep: By Emily Bronte "I'll not weep that thou art going to leave me, there's nothing lovely here; and doubly will the dark world grieve me while thy heart suffers there..." Porphyria's Lover: By Robert Browning "...She put my arm about her waist, and made her smooth white shoulder bare, and all her yellow hair displaced, and, stooping, made my cheek lie there..." Shut Out: By Christina Rossetti "The door was shut. I looked between its iron bars; and saw it lie, my garden, mine beneath the sky, pied with all the flowers bedewed and green..." The Victorian Shoppe A collection of Victorian-era literature and informative texts.

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