Progress & Poverty: The History of 19th Century Britain

Introduction
Everyday, thousands of visitors go to places like London and arrive at Victoria Rail Station. During their stay, they may visit the Victoria and Albert Museum or go to a concert at the Royal Albert Hall. Even here in Horsforth I have seen numerous streets named Victoria or Albert. I am sure many people living in Britain have objects that date from her reign in the 19th century. Many people live in Victorian homes, use mailboxes, or railway stations that would have been attributed to 19th century history. All over there are hundreds of reminders of the reign of Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert.
During her sixty-four years as queen over Britain and its Empire (1937-1901) so much changed in the way people lived. In a short essay like this, it would be easy to give an impression-and a perfectly fair one- that 19th century Britain was wealthy and progressive. The health and living conditions, homes and transport all became better. …