The Victorians
The Victorian Era (1837-1901) was a period of great socio-economic and technological change, especially in the industrialized West. Take a look back at the way the average European—country folk, townspeople, or city-dwellers—lived between 1600 and 1800; the changes won’t seem that significant. On the other hand, the difference between 1800 and 1900 was dramatic and profound.
Scientific and technological progress that had plodded along for centuries seemed to kick into high gear in the 19th century, especially following the Napoleonic Wars. Steamships replaced sail cutting the transatlantic crossing from weeks to days, railways reduced a day’s journey to hours, the telegraph and later the telephone and wireless made communications over long distances instantaneous. Gas and electricity transformed dark urban areas into cities of light. Improvements in public sanitation, medical practice, surgery, obstetrics and dentistry made it possible for many to live longer and healthier lives.
There was social advancement as well, with the emancipation of slaves and the beginning of the modern women’s movement. But there was a dark side to progress; rapid industrialization swelled the ranks of the working poor; men, women and children toiled long hours in abominable conditions. Factories and mills polluted the air and water, railroads and rank canals spoiled the countryside. Those changes were well documented in the literature of the time, for example Dickens’ “Hard Times” and Zola’s “Germinal.” Bad working and living conditions bred discontent, giving rise to organized crime, anarchy, General Strikes, rebellion and revolution. Industrialization and scientific advancement also led to the development of bigger, better and more efficient killing machines, culminating in the horrors of the First World War.
On the brighter side, there were fascinating changes in taste and fashion, art, literature and music. Painting, for example, went through several phases, from the Neo-Classical, Romantic, and Neo-Gothic, followed by the Pre-Raphaelites, the Aesthetic Movement and the Impressionists. Finally, at the end of the era, we see the beginnings of Expressionism and the Abstract.
As a writer of historical fiction focused on the 19th century, I try to research my chosen period thoroughly, avoiding anachronisms. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources available, especially now that we have the internet. Nevertheless, a writer needs to be cautious, choosing reliable sources for research. Even so, a glitch here and there may be unavoidable, but with sufficient care one hopefully avoids the glaring whoppers.
Scientific and technological progress that had plodded along for centuries seemed to kick into high gear in the 19th century, especially following the Napoleonic Wars. Steamships replaced sail cutting the transatlantic crossing from weeks to days, railways reduced a day’s journey to hours, the telegraph and later the telephone and wireless made communications over long distances instantaneous. Gas and electricity transformed dark urban areas into cities of light. Improvements in public sanitation, medical practice, surgery, obstetrics and dentistry made it possible for many to live longer and healthier lives.
There was social advancement as well, with the emancipation of slaves and the beginning of the modern women’s movement. But there was a dark side to progress; rapid industrialization swelled the ranks of the working poor; men, women and children toiled long hours in abominable conditions. Factories and mills polluted the air and water, railroads and rank canals spoiled the countryside. Those changes were well documented in the literature of the time, for example Dickens’ “Hard Times” and Zola’s “Germinal.” Bad working and living conditions bred discontent, giving rise to organized crime, anarchy, General Strikes, rebellion and revolution. Industrialization and scientific advancement also led to the development of bigger, better and more efficient killing machines, culminating in the horrors of the First World War.
On the brighter side, there were fascinating changes in taste and fashion, art, literature and music. Painting, for example, went through several phases, from the Neo-Classical, Romantic, and Neo-Gothic, followed by the Pre-Raphaelites, the Aesthetic Movement and the Impressionists. Finally, at the end of the era, we see the beginnings of Expressionism and the Abstract.
As a writer of historical fiction focused on the 19th century, I try to research my chosen period thoroughly, avoiding anachronisms. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources available, especially now that we have the internet. Nevertheless, a writer needs to be cautious, choosing reliable sources for research. Even so, a glitch here and there may be unavoidable, but with sufficient care one hopefully avoids the glaring whoppers.
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