Queen Victoria - biography.

Queen Victoria - biography. Queen of the United Kingdom and Ireland (1837-1901), Empress of India (1876-1901) Birth May 24, 1819 Death January 22, 1901 Reign 1837-1901 Signifcant In an 1838 act of Parliament, abolished slavery throughout the colonies of the British Empire Acts With the 1847 Factory Act, reduced the length of the working day in textile mills to ten hours With the Third Reform Act of 1884, granted the right to vote to all male householders, effectively extending the vote to most working men Milestones 1837 Became queen following the death of her uncle, King William IV, who had no legitimate heirs 1839 Retained Whig leader William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, as prime minister 1840 Married her first cousin, Prince Albert of the German principality of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha 1841 Reluctantly accepted Lamb's rival, Tory leader Robert Peel, as prime minister after general election led to a Tory majority 1851 Made several visits to the Great Exhibition, organized by Prince Albert, which showcased the wonders and advances of British industry and technology 1857 Suppressed the Sepoy Rebellion against the colonial authorities in India 1861 Went into mourning following the death of Albert and avoided public occasions for several years 1876 Was named Empress of India by the British Parliament 1897 Celebrated her Diamond Jubilee, which commemorated her 60 years on the throne 1899-1901 Supported British involvement in the Boer War in South Africa Did You Victoria was known as the 'Grandmother of Europe' because many of her children and grandchildren married into the royal families of Know other European countries. Victoria's reign was the longest of any monarch in British history. Victoria's long reign came to be known as the Victorian era. Architecture and design of this era exhibit an eclectic style, incorporating various older elements with newer techniques and materials. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.