Victorians - The Victorian
Timeline
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In 1837 Queen Victoria was crowned at the age of nineteen.
Many people thought the responsibility was too great for
her but she was a determined woman and reigned for 64 years.
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| 1840 |
In 1840 the the Penny Black stamp was issued. This was the
first stamp in the world. People wrote a lot of letters at
this time, as this was the only way to communicate over long
distances. |
| 1841 |
In 1841 the first railway excursion was organised by Thomas
Cook. At the museum you can see some of the very first train
tickets used for such excursions. |
| 1854 |
In 1854 Florence Nightingale went to the Crimea to organise
nursing during the war. There she saved the lives of many injured
soldiers. |
| 1855 |
In 1855 the famous Victorian artist, Ford Madox Brown, painted
the 'Last of England'. It shows a family emigrating, possibly
to Australia, to find work, like many people did in Victorian
times. You can find this painting at the Museum in Gallery
18. |
| 1860's |
In the 1860's the 'boneshaker' appeared on the roads. This
was one of the first bicycles to have pedals, which directly
turned the front wheels. School visits to the Museum can see
examples of Victorian bicycles in the classroom. |
| 1864 |
In 1864 boys under the age of 10 were banned from being chimney
sweeps. At Birmingham Museum you can see a Victorian fire place
similar to the ones the boys would have cleaned. |
| 1874 |
The '10 hour Factory Act' was introduced. This meant that
people could only be made to work for up to 10 hours per day.
Can you think of any laws that protect workers today? |
| 1880 |
In 1880 children up to the age of 12 were made to go to school.
In Gallery 30 at the Museum you can see a writing slate that
was used for sums, Victorian schools books and even an old
classroom desk! |
| 1884 |
In the mid 1880's the 'Safety Bicycle' was built. It was
much easier to ride than earlier models, with both wheels the
same size and a chain. This finally gave ordinary people the
freedom to travel. You can see one of these bikes at the Museum
in Gallery 30. |
| 1885 |
In 1885 the Prince of Wales opened the Birmingham Museum
Round Room and Industrial Gallery. This part of the Museum
still looks much the same today. You will notice from the columns
and pillars that Victorians liked to copy Greek and Roman architecture. |
| 1901 |
In 1901 Queen Victoria died and Edward Vll was made King.
She had ruled longer than any other British Monarch. |
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