Queen Victoria

Victoria (born May 24, 1819; died January 22, 1901) was queen of the United Kingdom between 1837 and 1901 and Empress of India from 1876 onwards. Her reign lasted 63 years, longer than that of any of her predecessors.

Early Years

Born Alexandrina Victoria, the future queen was raised largely in isolation by her mother (Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld). The deaths of young Victoria’s father (Edward, Duke of Kent) and his older brothers meant that when her uncle, King William IV, died in 1837, 18-year-old Victoria ascended to the throne.

Marriage & Family Life

Queen Victoria married her first cousin Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1840. The couple was devoted to each other and would have nine children together. Albert was a powerful influence on Victoria during his life. Upon Albert’s death in 1861, Victoria famously began a years-long seclusion from public life and wore black in mourning for her remaining 40 years.

Reign

Key political events that occurred during Victoria’s long reign included the Chartist movement (1838-57), Irish Potato Famine (1845-49), repeal of the Corn Laws (1846), Crimean War (1853-56), Reform Acts of 1867 and 1885, and Russo-Turkish War (1877-78). Victoria’s rule also saw Britain’s transition to an industrialized nation, as well as its expansion into the British Empire.

Death

Victoria celebrated her Diamond Jubilee (60th anniversary of her reign) in 1897. She spent her last Christmas at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, where her already poor health rapidly declined.

She passed away on January 22, 1901. Her death marked the end of the Victorian Era, which spanned the years of her rule. She was succeeded by her son Edward VII.  

Legacy

Victoria’s popularity as a monarch rose and fell throughout her life, reaching a high point during her final decades. Her rule helped restore dignity to the British crown, and it was during her reign that the monarchy took on its modern ceremonial role. Because many of her children married into other royal families, Queen Victoria is sometimes called the “Grandmother of Europe.”

Learn more about Queen Victoria through historical newspapers from our archives. Explore newspaper articles, headlines, images, and other primary sources below.