Susie Steinbach Knihy

This book brings together an astonishing range of research into women's lives in England between 1760 and 1914. Using diaries, letters, memoirs as well as social and statistical research, it looks at life-expectancy, sex, marriage and childbirth, and work inside and outside the home, for all classes of women. It charts the poverty and struggles of the working class as well as the leadership roles of middle-class and elite women. It considers the influence of religion, education, and politics, especially the advent of organised feminism and the suffragette movement. It looks, too, at the huge role played by women in the British Empire: how imperialism shaped English women's lives and how women also moulded the Empire.

The Victorian era was marked by significant transformation, as Britain dominated the largest empire, expanded democracy, and developed universal education and mass print culture. This period of industrialization and urbanization positioned Britain as a leader in global politics and culture throughout the nineteenth century. The text offers a vivid portrait of this era, blending broad surveys with in-depth analysis while engaging with contemporary historical debates. It covers all of Great Britain and Ireland, emphasizing social and cultural topics alongside politics and economics, and highlights the roles of class, gender, and imperial positioning in shaping human relations. Beginning with the Queen Caroline Affair in 1820 and concluding with the onset of World War I in 1914, thematic chapters explore politics, imperialism, the economy, class, gender, monarchy, arts, entertainment, religion, sexuality, and science. Additionally, the author includes three essential chapters on space, consumption, and law—topics often overlooked at the introductory level. With a clear introduction to key themes, a detailed timeline, and suggestions for further reading, this work serves as an excellent companion for students studying the nineteenth century.