# The Famine Queen (DD-221)

> Queen Victoria ruled the United Kingdom from 1837 until her death in 1901, a reign of 63 years surpassed among British monarchs only by Elizabeth II. The Victorian era saw industrial, scientific and political change and the expansion of the British Empire; from 1876 she was also Empress of India. She is associated with strict moral standards but was a keen dancer in her youth. The nickname 'the Famine Queen' was used by the Irish activist Maud Gonne in a 1900 article, criticizing her government's record during the Great Famine of the 1840s; the Reel's voiceover does not discuss it. The footage shows illustrations of Victoria and Victorian Britain, with the presenter.

- Department: People (also History)
- First published: 2024-05-05
- Last updated: 2024-05-05
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-famine-queen/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## On the timeline

- **1837**: Victoria becomes queen
- **1876**: Victoria becomes Empress of India
- **1901**: Victoria dies

Full timeline: https://detailenjoyer.com/timeline/?case=the-famine-queen

## Quick facts

- **DD-221-F01**: She reigned from 1837 to 1901. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (1837 to 1901))_
- **DD-221-F02**: Only Elizabeth II reigned longer. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Second longest))_

## Write-up

Victoria reigned for 63 years, from 1837 to 1901. She loved dancing and hosted grand balls.

1. **1837 to 1901**: She reigned from 1837 to 1901.
2. **Second longest**: Only Elizabeth II reigned longer.
3. **Empress of India**: She took that title in 1876.
4. **Dancing**: She loved to dance.
5. **Nickname**: Maud Gonne called her the Famine Queen in 1900.

## Related case files

- [The First Roman Emperor (DD-213)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-first-roman-emperor/): I linked another ruler profile
- [The Virgin Queen (DD-220)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-virgin-queen/): I linked the queen of an earlier golden age

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed.

## Video: The Famine Queen: Victoria Reigned for 63 Years, From 1837 to 1901

- Duration: 39.2 s · Published: 2024-05-05
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C6mmKikqrre.mp4

### Transcript

Queen Victoria is Britain's second longest-reigning monarch; her rule from 1837 to 1901 was known as the Victorian era, and it was a period of industrial, cultural, political and scientific change within the United Kingdom alongside a vast expansion of the British Empire. Victoria was known for her strict standards of morality and personal modesty. She became a symbol of British imperial pride and strict societal codes. DID YOU KNOW? Despite her serious public image, Victoria had a passion for dancing and even took to the dance floor at grand balls. Her legacy endures in numerous historical, cultural and institutions, embodying an age of progress. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: When did Victoria's reign begin?**  
A: Aged 18. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (1837 to 1901) · Wikipedia: Queen Victoria)_

**Q: Who reigned longer?**  
A: Only one monarch. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Second longest) · Wikipedia: Queen Victoria)_

**Q: What title did she add in 1876?**  
A: Under Disraeli. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Empress of India) · Wikipedia: Queen Victoria)_

**Q: What did she love in her youth?**  
A: Grand balls. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Dancing) · Wikipedia: Queen Victoria)_

**Q: Who called her the Famine Queen?**  
A: In 1900. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Nickname) · Wikipedia: Maud Gonne)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Queen Victoria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Victoria)
- [Wikipedia: Maud Gonne](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maud_Gonne)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "The Famine Queen." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-221, last updated May 5, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/the-famine-queen/