Why are the Victorians so famous?
Britain managed to build a huge empire during the Victorian period. It was also a time of tremendous change in the lives of British people. In 1837 most people lived in villages and worked on the land; by 1901, most lived in towns and worked in offices, shops and factories.
During Queen Victoria’s reign:
- Britain became the most powerful and richest countryin the world, with the largest emp
- Railways, originally built to transport goods, meant people could travel easily around the country for the first time. Railways brought new foods to towns and cities
ire that had ever existed, ruling a quarter of the world’s population.
- Towns and cities got piped water, gas and, by the end of the century, electricity
- Many households had a servant or servants – in 1891, 2 million servants were recorded in the census