Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Civic Brief • Monarch

Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria (born Alexandrina Victoria) was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 1837 to 1901 and Empress of India from 1876 to 1901.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Queen Victoria was the Queen of the United Kingdom from 1837 to 1901 and Empress of India from 1876. Her 63-year reign defined the Victorian era, a period of industrial growth and imperial expansion.

What it is

Queen Victoria (born Alexandrina Victoria in 1819) became queen at age 18 after the death of William IV. She reigned for 63 years and 216 days, making her the longest-reigning British monarch until Elizabeth II surpassed her in 2015.

Why it matters

The Victorian era is associated with major industrial, political, scientific, and imperial change. Victoria’s reign overlapped with Canadian Confederation in 1867 and the expansion of the British Empire, including her addition as Empress of India in 1876.

Key details

Victoria was born at Kensington Palace on 24 May 1819 and died at Osborne House on 22 January 1901. Her son Edward VII succeeded her. The title Empress of India was granted in 1876, reflecting imperial consolidation during her reign.

In short

  • Reigned 63 years and 216 days
  • Became Empress of India in 1876
  • Her era saw vast imperial and industrial expansion
  • Succeeded by her son Edward VII
Canadian angle

Victoria’s reign overlapped with Confederation in 1867 and the early expansion of Canada within the British Empire, making her a significant figure in Canadian constitutional and imperial history.

Quick questions

Who was Queen Victoria?
She was the monarch of the United Kingdom from 1837 to 1901 and Empress of India from 1876.
When was Queen Victoria born?
She was born on 24 May 1819 at Kensington Palace in London.
How long did Queen Victoria reign?
She reigned for 63 years and 216 days, one of the longest in British history.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Victoria
    Supports: Birth/death dates, reign dates, Victorian era, empress title, length of reign.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Victoria-queen-of-United-Kingdom
    Supports: Queen of the United Kingdom and Ireland, Empress of India, birth and death details.
  3. The Royal Family — https://www.royal.uk/encyclopedia/victoria-r-1837-1901
    Supports: Accession in 1837, reign length, death, succession, imperial context.
  4. History — https://www.history.com/articles/queen-victoria
    Supports: Birth, accession, and coronation details.
  5. Historic Royal Palaces — https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/history-and-stories/queen-victoria/
    Supports: Birthplace, reign length, imperial scale, Victorian period dates.
  6. English Heritage — https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/women-in-history/queen-victoria/
    Supports: Accession at 18, reign length, monarchy's image during change.