Section 1 - John Ruskin and George Meredith
Section 2 - Women Poets from England
Section 3 - Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Section 4 - Literary Works and Images for Children
Section 5 - William Morris
Section 6 - Dante Gabriel and Christina Rossetti
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INTRODUCTION

Alexandrina Victoria (1819-1901), married to Albert, Prince Consort (1819-1861) in 1840 , and mother of nine children, was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and Empress of India, for almost 64 years, from 1837 to 1901, the longest reign in British history. During her sovereignty, Britain built an empire, the Industrial Revolution spread, and major literary and artistic movements formed, often in reaction to social ills. Revered by her subjects, the well-educated, artistic Victoria was an advocate for the poor.

Mass production, driven by the enormous power of the steam engine, marked the Industrial Revolution. Technological, socioeconomic, and cultural shifts occurred rapidly. Modern capitalist economies emerged, but capitalism came at a price. Socialistic backlash characterized the Victorian age. Victorian writers/artists committed to social change, their beliefs expressed through literary and artistic protests, hold a distinctive place in the world of literature, portraiture, and illustration. Some are the best-known novelists, poets, and artists of all time.

Near the end of the 19th century CE, inspired by the Pre-Raphaelite artists who were rebelling against the ugliness of mechanized mass production, The Arts and Crafts Movement was organized, first in Britain, then in America. Embracing the tenets of author/critic, John Ruskin, and seeking a return to skilled craftsmanship, architects, designers, and artists sought quality output. The Pre-Raphaelites and their supporters pushed for the return to Medieval excellence.

Vigorously supported by Ruskin, The Pre-Raphaelite Movement was founded by notable English poets, painters, and critics who developed strong relationships between poetry and art. Rebelling against the poor production standards and dictates of Victorian conventions, adherents of the Movement followed the Medieval model of fine hand-craftsmanship, creative integrity, and the use of all-natural elements.

NOTE: Part of the rare book collection of the Bertrand Library, these materials were utilized in the Special Collections User Education session presented for English 370/670, Victorian Poetry, taught by Professor Virginia L. Zimmerman.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ISR STAFF
Project Supervisor/General Designer - Doris Dysinger, Curator, Special Collections/University Archives;Website Editor/Designer, Final Version - Daniel Mancusi, Digital Projects Technologist

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS/UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES STUDENT ASSISTANTS
Digital Images, Technical Support - Spencer Davis, Class of 2008;
Cassandra Lloyd, Class of 2009;
Andrew Rancourt, Class of 2009

Image from: The Letters of Queen Victoria, a Selection from Her Majesty's Correspondence Between the Years 1837 and 1861: Published by Authority of His Majesty the King. Ed., Arthur Christopher Benson ... and Viscount Esher. Volume 1. New York: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1907.