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Queen Victoria – Born to be Queen
In 1817, at aged 21 Princess Charlotte, heir to the throne of Great Britain, died following a long and difficult birth to her first child, a son. Her father, George Prince Regent, was ruling in place of his father George III, whose mental deterioration has earned him the title Mad King George. Charlotte’s son was stillborn. Her father would later, on his father’s death in 1820, become George IV, ruling the country for 10 years until his own death upon which he was succeeded by his younger brother, William. When Charlotte died, George III had urged his sons to marry and between them produce an heir. He had six surviving…
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The insane genius of Richard Dadd
Born in Chatham, Kent, to a chemist in August 1817 or 1818, Richard Dadd was the fourth of between seven and nine children (sources vary). Details of his childhood are scant however it has been noted that he showed an adeptness for sketching and art from an early age, and was seen by those who knew him as a quiet gentle boy. Following his education at Kings School Rochester, at the age of 17, the family moved to London and at 20 years old, Richard was accepted into the Royal Academy of Arts. Towards the end of the 1830s, Dadd along with some of his contemporaries, including Frith, Egg and…
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Anne Bronte
Anne Bronte was the youngest of six children born to Maria Branwell and Patrick Bronte, on January 17th 1820 in the village of Thornton in Yorkshire. When Anne was a few months old, Patrick, a clergyman, was given the post of perpetual curate of the Church of Haworth a few miles away. The family moved into the parsonage in April. Less than a year later Maria fell ill, and her sister Elizabeth Branwell moved in to nurse her. Maria died in September 1821, quite possibly from uterine cancer. Anecdotal recollections by members of the Bronte circle have stated that Maria’s main concerns knowing her condition was terminal were for her…
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Civilian Recipients of the Victoria Cross
Since its inception, the Victoria Cross warrant has undergone several amendments, initially it was only to be awarded to those acts of specific valour in the face of the enemy, or behind the scenes in an act of preservation, which were survived by the nominee. The deed had to be witnessed by an officer however now is accepted when independently confirmed by three other witnesses. The recipient also had to be a serving member of Her Majesties Forces. Over time, these criteria have been amended to state action must be in the face of the enemy, but now to include (amongst others) posthumous awards – although this amendment was not…
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Amelia Dyer
We are all familiar with Dr Harold Shipman and his reputation of being one of the most prolific serial killers of all time, with an estimated 250 murders to his name. He was not however the UK’s most prolific. Unheard of by most people, is the name Amelia Dyer – Baby farmer. It is estimated that over a 30 year period she killed at least 300 babies, and possibly as many as 400, that had been entrusted into her care. ‘Baby farming’ became a solution to the problem of unwanted pregnancy during the latter part of the 19th century. The lack of effective contraception, and the stigma of having a…
