Uncrowned King: The Life of Prince Albert

by Stanley Weintraub

Stanley Weintraub, biographer of Queen Victoria and other major figures of her era, here unveils for the first time the largely hidden role of Prince Albert, establishing him as one of the greatest men of his days.

Drawing on previously unexplored sources, Weintraub's Uncrowned King delves into Prince Albert's political, familial, financial, medical, and sexual life.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Royalty, British Literature, Biography Memoir, Victorian

512 pages, Paperback

First published June 9, 1997

About the author

Weintraub was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on April 17, 1929. He was the eldest child of Benjamin and Ray Segal Weintraub. He attended South Philadelphia High School, and then he attended West Chester State Teachers College (now West Chester University of Pennsylvania) where he received his B.S. in education in 1949. He continued his education at Temple University where he received his master's degree in English “in absentia,” as he was called to duty in the Korean War.

He received a commission as Army Second Lieutenant, and served with the Eighth Army in Korea receiving a Bronze Star.

After the War, he enrolled at Pennsylvania State University in September 1953; his doctoral dissertation “Bernard Shaw, Novelist” was accepted on May 6, 1956.

Except for visiting appointments, he remained at Penn State for all of his career, finally attaining the rank of Evan Pugh Professor of Arts and Humanities, with emeritus status on retirement in 2000. From 1970 to 1990 he was also Director of Penn State’s Institute for the Arts and Humanistic Studies

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent biography! Albert was a great man, friend, spouse, lover, father, confidant, adviser, collaborator and surrogate sovereign. Victoria was a self-centered person except with regards to her Albert. Over 18 years she gave birth to 9 babies and suffered from depression and pregnancy challenges. Albert was there for her to help her and step in wherever she needed him. His major feat of the Crystal Palace was amazing and successful - he even planned for innovative public bathrooms to accommodate the overwhelming public who attended. He had an intimate Father-Daughter relationship with the princess royal, Vicky, and his daughter Alice. He was burdened by his brother Ernest and his son, the Prince of Wales. He loved Victoria completely and always put her first, even in his last days working himself to complete exhaustion. In his eulogy, it was stated that "England had lost a sovereign rather than a consort." Originally thought by the British as an outsider, he was now the unsung great man who managed to go beyond his duty and serve England with everything he was.

[Maya Ganguly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book really well researched and informative giving me a three dimensional view of an intriguing and often times overlook historical character, and might read his biography of Queen Victoria and Disraelil, however, at the same time, I have to admit it was rather dry and not fully a page turner.

[Glenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rather dull re-counting of a life well lived. I've always had a soft spot for Prince Albert and found this book to be a let down for the most part. Although I did enjoy the insight into his and Queen Victoria's private taste in art.

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Workmanly biography of Prince Albert which emphasizes his interests and accomplishments such as the Crystal Palace and his role in the Crimean war. Nice selection of illustrations including some caricatures from the popular press. Helpful genealogical chart.

[Candace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this years ago (can't remember when, exactly) but have long been a fan of Prince Albert. This book focuses on his extraordinary achievements during his short life as consort to Queen Victoria. I think of him as the greatest king Britain never had.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good look into the life of Albert. Interesting insights into the times. Also, very interesting insights into Victoria. Would read again as a source for basic understanding of the relationship.

[Rebecca Huston · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better biographies out there about Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's consort.

For the complete review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/content_32838...

[Jim Gallen · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Uncrowned King” is the story of Queen Victoria’s husband who was king in all but name. Out of necessity it is almost a dual biography with the focus on Albert. It follows his life from his youth in Coburg to the courtship with Victoria and through his years in England. This work illustrates Albert’s growth in his position from the untrusted foreign prince in the palace to the confident of politicians, social reformers, businessmen, monarchs and princes and his queen. His vision of the path along which the monarchy should evolve was visionary, even if his descendants no longer wield the power that he deemed to rightfully belong to the sovereign.

A biography touches upon the scenes in which its subject plays his parts. This book introduces the reader to Victoria’s life, a succession of politicians of the era including Lords Melbourne and Palmerston, Sir Robert Peel and Sir John Russell, among others. The origins of the Crimean War and how it was seen from the Palace enhanced my previously minimal understanding of that conflict. The significance of the Exhibition of 1851 and its Crystal Palace are a reminder of when the world came to London in the prototype of later World Fairs. The English end of the Trent Affair brings to light a little known but critical episode of the American Civil War and Albert’s crucial role in preventing war between Britain and the United States.

Author Stanley Weintraub has crafted an important chronicle of a major player in British and European history during the early Victorian era. Perhaps because, as an American, I was unfamiliar with many of the characters in the saga I found the reading to be dense and slow. It is a worthwhile historical read for those willing to make the required effort.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting look at the life of Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, husband of Victoria. How does a proud, intelligent man handle being the a supporting player in the life of the most powerful woman in Europe? This volume explains.

[Anne Edmunds · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm re-reading this one right now. Read it about 5 years ago. An indepth study of the Prince Consort's life.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't love the writing style so much as the content, but the content is impressive enough to rate four stars on its own.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This dude modernized the monarchy AND basically invented The World's Fair, amongst so much more. Excellently written.

[Maryann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. It gave me lots of information about what Albert actually did to be remembered as "the good". The book was surprisingly light on the relationship with Victoria. Albert was handling her duties. She was having his babies. There were intriguing moments on how he influenced her taste and educated her. I'm going to have to find a book about the two of them together!

[Ashley Hobgood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read this book out of curiosity. I enjoyed reading this book because I learned more about Prince Albert's children, his education, his marriage to Queen Victoria, their children, his political endeavors, and being a patron of science and industry. I loved that it was very informative. I thought the book was well written and well researched. It is a must read.

[Darla Ebert · Rating 4 out of 5]

An impressive amount of research obviously went into the writing of this excellent biography. I felt I "got to know" both Queen Victoria and her husband as if I had actually been there in the palace from day one of Queen Victoria's ascension to the throne. There are some boring details but all in all an excellent read.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honest to God, I really had to claw my way through this book. It was so boring to read, but if you like hyperspecific events along with what was going on, this is the book for you. Finding out the author was a professor made a lot of sense, but not my favorite read and I probably wouldn't read it again.

Prince Albert though, had a pretty cool life.

[Rouleauville · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably one of the best books around that covers the entire life of Prince Albert. Clearly demonstrates the influence that he had on British society and culture. I timed it to read as the PBS 'Victoria' show was being aired - so interesting to see which episodes from Prince Albert's life were included in the show and where the producers took dramatic license.

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dull and as boring as a newspaper clipping.