Victorian

Victorian refers to the era of Queen Victoria's reign in the United Kingdom, from 1837 to 1901, and to the cultural, social, and artistic forms associated with that period.

During this time Britain underwent rapid industrialization, urbanization, and technological advances such as the railway and telegraph. The British Empire expanded, bringing diverse cultures into contact with Victorian norms. Politically, the era saw gradual reform and changes in social policy, while constitutional monarchy remained stable under Victoria's long reign.

Society experienced stark inequalities between classes, with a growing middle class and persistent urban poverty. Idealized domestic life, gender roles, and child-rearing were emphasized in public discourse. Philanthropy, temperance movements, and educational reforms were prominent features of public life.

In culture and the arts, Victorian literature, drama, and journalism flourished, with writers such as Charles Dickens, the Brontë sisters, Anthony Trollope, and Thomas Hardy shaping social critique. Scientific advances, including Darwinian theory, challenged traditional beliefs and influenced debates of the era. Architecturally, the Gothic Revival and eclectic styles shaped public buildings and private houses.

Today, the term Victorian is used to describe a broad aesthetic and moral climate associated with propriety, progress, and empire. The period left a lasting imprint on law, education, design, and the built environment, though it is also associated with imperial critiques and social challenges.