Tarja Moles
The Victorian era (1837-1901) holds a strong appeal for a lot of people – which is not surprising, considering what a multi-faceted time period it was. It saw Britain achieve a preeminent status across the globe while rapid social change was taking place on home soil. It was a time of great contrasts: on the one hand, industrialisation and advances in science, technology, engineering and medicine were taking the society forward; on the other hand, extreme social inequality, deprivation and hardship were part and parcel of everyday life for many. The legacy of this period is still present in different ways in our society today. Researching the Victorian era can sometimes feel like being a kid in a sweetshop. There’s just so much material available that it can be difficult to decide what the best research strategy might be. Here are some ideas to help you get started: