Hello, and thank you for visiting my blog!
My name is Geerte, I’m a researcher of history, specializing in the nineteenth century, located in the Netherlands. This blog is the place to put all the interesting findings, strange facts, and everything that doesn’t fit in with my research but is too good to be forgotten. This blog was started because many people still regard the Nineteenth century as an era full of boring prudish people and some men getting rich, while in fact it was a time full of adventures, strong women, strange inventions, and some utterly shady goings-on!
This blog is mostly for enjoyment, both mine and yours. If you want to quote from the blog for your paper you’re welcome to do so, but do be smart about it. Some of my articles cite the academic source, but some (mostly older posts) are totally based on websites, so keep that in mind.
Fascinating blog.
What got you interested in the 19th century? Do you study it, or is it just a hobby of sorts?
Keep Blogging !
Min.
Thank you for your kind comment! It’s mostly just a sort of hobby, I study art history but we often skip the nineteenth century, and I wished to know more. So, I often learn interesting new things with each blog entry, which is great :)
This really is a terrific site. You put me to shame…
Not at all, chicagobookbabe, your blog is great :) And thank you!
Wonderful blog!
Keep up the good work Koeznbasje. What country are you from anyway ? I wanted to write you and say thanks, and also to request more posts on Queen Victoria herself… which is no doubt how, what and why so many of your readers find you in Google search as they seek for information on Victoria and Victorian things… you have a lock on the search term Victorian.
Robert Campbell, thank you for your kind comment. I will write a post on Queen Victoria soon, she has been on my list for a while but I never got around to it! To answer your question, I’m from the Netherlands :)
I’m enjoying your blog very much. I found it through Sincerae’s A Very Fine Romance. I just finished a book on Victorian England called “The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher,” which I wrote about in my blog. It’s not very light reading, but is fascinating. It mentions Charles Dickens, who used some of the elements in the case in his own works. I was a history graduate student, specializing in 19th century American history, but am in love with all things British, too.
Hi Catherine, thank you for leaving a comment! “The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher” sounds very interesting, I hadn’t heard of it before. Please leave a link to your blog so I can read your review! :)
I wish to focus a bit more on American history on this blog, too, but it’s all very unfamiliar for me so it’s hard to come up with really good subjects. I guess that’s why the blog is a little Britain-focused!
Ooh, that book on Whicher is fascinating – I used it and the Constance Kent case as background for a class on Victorian Sensation/Gothic/Detective Fiction. It is so useful for Dickens as well as “King of Sensation” Wilkie Collins, who used details from this most scandalous murder case for his bestselling detective novel, The Moonstone. It is history but reads like fiction – just fascinating and scrupulously researched. Like Catherine Sherman above, I would highly recommend! This is such a great site – shame we can’t all meet up for tea (or perhaps absinthe…)
My blog is http://www.catherinesherman.wordpress.com One of the aspects I love about going to different blogs is seeing what different authors are focused on. Your Victorian focus attracted me!
Catherine, I loved the post on Whicher! I’ll give it a link some time soon :)
Dear Geerte:
Thank you for your kind e-mail. I use my blogs for individual courses I teach: looking through your own excellent site I will add it for my students’ perusal and benefit in by resource link list in future Victorian and Edwardian Courses.
My respects,
Stephen
Such a great blog. The most recent entry on gardens is stunning! Looks like we share similar interests, just different time periods. Will link very soon!
Holly: thank you! Your blog is wonderful as well. Do let me know when your book comes out and I’ll give it a link!
Hi,
I really enjoyed reading your blog. A lot of interesting information!
Keep writing and I will come back!
Lin
Hi Lin, thank you! I will definitely keep writing, I have some great posts lined up for the future!
What an awesome blog. So much wonderful information. I added it to my RSS feed. I’m so glad I ran across it!
~Carol
Carol, thank you so much!
Wonderful! We own a circa 1869 bed and breakfast, and I’m always looking for readings on the Victorian era for myself and to share with our guests. What a great blog. I know I’ll be back to read your interesting posts! Thanks! ~Paula
I hate my life but at least this makes it beblaare.
Hooray for snow! (Of course, I am saying this from the other side of the world where we appear to be heading into a ridiculously hot summer – we’ve already had a few days over 30°)
This is really interesting! I’ve been hoping to find a blog concerned with the Victorian era – and now I have. I will be back to read more.
Hi Fair Ophelia, thank you for your comment! I love your blog a lot as well, I’ll add it to my blogroll!
I love your site!
_____________________
Experiencing a slow PC recently? Fix it now!
Hello,
I’m doing a school assignment on a play by Henrik Ibsen, and I’m foccusing on the costume involved for the play.
Do you have any information about the 19th century fashion, especially regarding men’s trousers? Any info you have would be great!
Thanks,
from Ashleigh.
What a great blog! Love it! SO inspirational and educational too.
Lovely thoughts tidbits on a fascinating time. Thanks for that.
Did I call for driving out 80 percent of the civilian population or toppling the entire Muslim world. Please don't prop up your strawmen at my expense.What I pointed out is that without taking down the regimes that supplied the Taliban, in this case Iran and Pakistan, the conflict is unei.nablwnCOIN, how did that work out in Afghanistan?
Wat een liefde! Je schrijft dat jullie heel veel van haar zullen gaan houden maar dat is nu al gebeurt.Je bent al helemaal verkocht.Heel veel geluk met deze twee heerlijke dames!!!!
Hi Geerte,
you blog is awesome! Thanks for taking the time 4 it.
I am live in the Amazon in the city of Santarem.
Around 1872 the Wickham’s moved here. Violet worked as a teacher for the american confederado kids, her father was publisher in London.
Henry’s mother had a hat shop in London, she came along and left the shop(near Picadilly) with his youger sister.
He supplied her with amazonian birds feathers. At one point his father in law published his adventure book containing illustration of rubber tree, seeds and pods.
That ended up at Hookers(director of Kew Gardens and good friend of Darwin)hand who eventually commissioned the Wickham’s to take 70.000 seeds of rubber tree….you know the rest of the story…if not go for The Thief at the end of the world a book by Joe Jackson and credited to me.
You will love it!!!
again thanks and congrats for your blog
ps another interesting reading is the World on fire, the discovery of Oxygen by the same author . Both stories in Vic times
Hi
Through Google I found your entry on coffee shops. I’ve been researching an ancestor living in Victorian England and his will was co-signed by a ‘coffee shop proprietor’. I found that surprising as I expected more tea shops or pubs.
I’m most interested in the period 1816-1843 in London. Charles Dickens describes the part of London that is my special interest (Rotherhithe) in ‘Oliver Twist’. So if you can point me to anything that will give background colour to my information that would be great.
What part of the Netherlands are you in? My husband came from The Hague.
Regards Jan
Hi Jan,
Thank you for your comment. I thought your name sounded very Dutch, The Hague is a beautiful old city, it’s one of my favourites! I myself live in the North of the Netherlands, in Groningen.
What exactly are you looking for, just information or literature or something that just describes the general atmoshpere? I think Dickens wrote a memoir and much of his work has autobiographical aspects, so that would be good to read, if you haven’t already. I can’t think of anything from the top of my head but I’ll see if I can find some more information for you!
I just LOVE your blog. I love history among other things, and I found the articles you’ve posted and written about to be quite interesting. it’s like being in school without having to listen to the annoying teacher talk lol. keep it up :)
visit my blog if you fancy:
http://www.12baroriginal.wordpress.com
Tasha
Amazing, amazing blog! Thank you for the time and effort you are putting in it!
It’s fascinating to me that we are all truly the same, yet societal norms and eccentricities form us to such an extent. Who would WE be had we been raised in the Victorian era?
Thank you for the beautiful pics and thoughts…
RebeccaFlys@blogspot.com
thank you G. for making this blog becuase it reall helps my son understand about the victorian in school, which i need to know he gets his topic from the teacher? I just have one quesiton though..is the where can you find informatoin about the Crystal Palce buildin resources and why the Victorian Era was so important
My mom the one thats send a blog before me says this blog is the best that i can get informations and get my questions answered would help me in school. What happened to the Chrystal Palce and why was it built for whom was the owner after the victorian era not so long when it ended?
My mom the one thats send a blog before me says this blog is the best thatIcan get informations and get my questions answered would help me in school. What happened to the Chrystal Palce and why was it built for whom was the owner after the victorian era not so long when it ended?
My mom the one thats send a blog before me says this blog is the best thatIcan get informations and get my questions answered would help me in school. I need to know more about the era!!!
Hi :)
I’m fascinated with your blog…
Greetings from Serbia :))
Hi Geerte,
I just found your blog and have been reading it for ages. It is really interesting I loved the Times gossip column! You might be interested in my blog- though I’m not as hard working as you are. You can find it at landedlives.blogspot.com. Once again fair play for the really interesting blog
Hi Maeve, your blog looks really nice! I added it to my blogroll, I hope to read many interesting posts of you in the future! :)
Hi! I too am in love with the nineteenth century! I love your blog. It is great to see someone else who is enthusiastic about this century. I’m a student at Cornell and completing a thesis on Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray. I am combining literary analysis with a creative project. If you’d like to take a look, my blog tracks my thesis: http://doriangraycomic.wordpress.com/
Love your blog!
All the best!
Hi Heidi, I love your blog too! An what an interesting subject to make a thesis about, I’m very jealous! I’m adding your blog to my blogroll here :) Good luck writing and drawing!
Thank you so much! Glad you like my project! :)
[…] The Victorian Era […]
Hi, I think this is such an awesome idea! I’ve always been intruiged by history, especially Renaissance and the Victorian Era…I love that Sherlock Holmes-type of feeling, and the dresses are OMG so gorgeous :D If only I had a time travelling machine :D
Anyway, great project, I’ll be sure to stop by once in a while (I’ve always wanted to write a book, and if I ever do, it will definitely take place in the nineteenth century… so I could start doing research here and finally start a real project myself :D)
Oh, and by the way: Spreek je nederlands? je naam klinkt zo nederlands (ik ben van belgie :))
The voice of railtnaoity! Good to hear from you.
wow… thank you! I guess I’m a little speechless… it’s good to know one understands! Writing seems to be the only way to truly express how I feel… putting voice is not that easy for me….
Hoi Eva, ik ben blij dat je mijn blog leuk vindt! (En ik spreek inderdaad Nederlands, goed gezien ;)) Er komt nu niet veel nieuws meer bij hier maar misschien kun je in de archieven nog wat leuks vinden, of wat inspiratie voor je boek opdoen! Dankjewel voor je berichtje :)
Dear Geerte,
Reading your blog is really a great pleasure for me. Congratulations for the topics and your elegant way of writing. It’s nice to know that such an amiable Victorian place exists.
Greetings from Sofia, Bulgaria. :)
Hi Dora, thank you so much for your kind words! :)
Dear Geerte,
Your blog is truly fascinating, an absolute pleasure to read.
I spend my time restoring and replicating traditional Victorian lighting and lampposts, if you have time please have a look at http://www.englishlampposts.co.uk.
I’d love to write an article for your blog, please let me know if it’s possible.
All the best,
Benjamin
Hi Benjamin,
I would be very interested in a guest post, I don’t think there’s a lot of information available about Victorian lighting and lampposts, so that would be very interesting. If you want, you can mail me at koeznbasje@gmail.com.
Best regards, Geerte
Dear Geerte,
I am so lucky to have stumbled upon your blog. I’ve been a fan of the Victorian era, and everything Victorian for a few years now, and can’t wait to read all of your blogposts.
Yours,
Noora
Viajar es la única manera de prolongar la vida.No podemos aumentar la duración de nuestra vidani un solo dÃa, sin embargo, en el viaje los dÃasparecen meses y los meses aÃ0;o̶±sEugenia Rico”Y en tu caso, parece que la experiencia de años, se traducirá en siglos de experiencia de vida.Tu voto: 0 0
Dear Geerte,
I’ve been reading your blog for over a year now and it’s always been educational and fun. Me and my co-blogger started a blog that deals with a fair amount of Victorian stuff and when we got one of those blog awards we thought of your blog. We don’t want to impose with the meme itself, just to let you know that we love your site and that it’s pretty much what our blog wants to be when it grows up. Cheers!
http://gwtwscrapbook.blogspot.com/2010/08/ten-things-we-like.html
Hi Bugsie, thank you very much! Your blog looks great and very interesting! I’ll definitely keep an eye on it.
I love this blog! I’m going to add it to my blogs to go to about the Victorian era!
Great site – as a writer and author of another 19th century blog, I’m always looking for places to increase my knowledge of the period. This seems to be one of them.
My blog is about women who lived at sea with their husbands (ships’ captains).
http://www.karleeaturner.wordpress.com
Victorian America in the Age of Sail: Women at Sea
Hi Karlee, your blog looks very interesting! I’ll take my time some day soon to read it properly! I’m glad to see such great blogs about the nineteenth century :)
I am so lucky to have stumbled upon your blog
Hi there, I’ve only just come across your blog when I’ve been in the midst of procrastinating. I’m currently doing a masters degree in nineteenth century art history and I’m sorely sorry that I didn’t get around to blogging about some of the odd and fascinating things I’ve come across as an undergrad and don’t seem to have to chronicle as a postgrad! Definitely bookmarking this blog and I’ll be back very soon!
Perhaps your readers would like to know that George Stuart’s exquisite sculptures of Victoria and Albert ca. 1860 will be exhibited at the William J. Clinton Presidential Museum in Little Rock from Dec 11 to May 22.
The English Figures are included in a U.S. Civil collection because of the part England might have played if V&A had sided with the Confederacy. All of these Figures and more can be seen at http://www.galleryhistoricalfigures.com.
Please feel free to use any of the images for non-commercial purposes with a link and credits to Mr. Stuart and photographer Peter D’Aprix.
Enjoy!
Leroy Becker
Executive Director
HISTORICAL FIGURES FOUNDATION
Hi Geerte, I am enjoying your wonderful blog, which I have added to my favorites. It will be a very helpful resource for my design projects.
Thank you,
Constance
It’s everything here exactly what I was looking for :) I’m so happy that I step in right here.lol
I am studying the Victorian era as well through literature and architecture. Your blog is helpful in understanding the culture. Keep posting!
Erin
Geerte,
I found your comments on Anton Mauve helpful. I’ve been reading vol 1 of Vincent Van Gogh’s letters, and have reached the place where Mauve has been helping him a great deal. I went from Wikipedia to you, and am getting a sense of Mauve and his associates.
Thank you.
What a lovely site! Thank you for your broad range of interests and always topical comments.
I’d love to spread the word about an upcoming display of Victorian mourning art –mostly madeof hair– that will take place at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa. Opening talk and reception with collector Pamela Moschini Monday 31 October 2011 at 7 pm in Trexler Library. The display, with more than 100 pieces, will be up until 13 November. For more information, contact Erika M. Sutherland at emsuther@muhlenberg.edu
We are keen to draw your attention to today’s interview with Judith Flanders, where she selects the five books that have had the most influence on her understanding of the Victorian age.
http://thebrowser.com/interviews/judith-flanders-on-life-victorian-age
If you enjoy it please feel free to share with your friends, followers and fans.
Please feel free to contact me to discuss syndication terms
Thanks
Mark
Judith Flanders is an author and journalist who specialises in the Victorian period. Her biography of four Victorian sisters, A Circle of Sisters, was nominated for The Guardian First Book Award in 2001. Her other works include The Invention ofMurder, which was published this year. Her book Dickens’ London: Everyday Life in a Victorian City will be published in 2012
Such a great blog!
I’ve been trying to find a post on this site for victorian homes’ decor. Have you made one? If you haven’t, could you maybe make one?
A really helpful site for it if you’re going to, and a good place to review for us if you’re ever in Palm Beach, Florida (which is where I live):
http://www.flaglermuseum.us/visiting/virtual-tours/first-floor
Sorry about posting too early, I was trying out a name I saw on a post in Girls and make-up and clicked Enter accidentally, now I’ll do the name I wanted to in the first place. My comment’s below, just cause I felt like putting it there.
(Such a great blog!
I’ve been trying to find a post on this site for victorian homes’ decor. Have you made one? If you haven’t, could you maybe make one?
A really helpful site for it if you’re going to, and a good place to review for us readers if you’re ever in Palm Beach, Florida (which is where I live):
http://www.flaglermuseum.us/visiting/virtual-tours/first-floor )
U r such a great person geerte i respect u so much can u email me and teach me about victiorans
“Let thy words be few.” – Ecclesiastes 5:2 from Words of Wisdom
Dear Geerte
Very interesting website! I enjoyed reading it.
Best Wishes
Carolyn
Just came across your blog now and what a pleasure it is. I love all things Victorian esp the literature. I’m currentlly reading-and soon to finish-Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte,I’m loving every word my mind devours!!:) What books would you refer me too?
Hi Nelisiwe, thank you very much! A book I loved that is similar in style and pace to Jane Eyre is Wuthering Heights, by Charlotte Bronte’s sister Emily Bronte. Another exciting (but quite different) book by a female author is Frankenstein, which is really a lot more interesting and philosophical than all the movies that have been made.
Currently I’ve been re-reading Austen’s Emma, which is a lovely book as well, the plot is more clear and more fast-paced than for example Pride and Prejudice, which makes it nice and pleasant to read. If you like a general Victorian atmosphere you should check out books by Hodgson Burnett or Louisa May Alcott, they’re mostly children’s stories but they’re so charming! :) If you’re looking for something more funny and sometimes saucy, try some Wilde or Byron, they’re very amusing to read!
Throughout this blog there are many book recommendations, if you hit the tag “books” in the right sidebar you will find many more suggestions! :)
Geerte, this is a wonderful blog! Keep up the good work.
Do you happen to send out a Victorian e-newsletter? If so, please send me one as well!
Hi Victorian Novelist, thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! There is not currently a newsletter but I might make one in the future, if so, I will keep you up to date. Good luck with your novel and let me know when it’s finished, I’ll write a blogpost about it :)
As a former Victorianist, I adore your blog. I’ve paid tribute to it over at http://30waysofwalking.wordpress.com/tag/30waysofwalking/ by recommending you for the Versatile Blogger Award.
Just discoverd your blog. Do you know of any other blogs with the same theme ?
This is http://www.youtube.com/user/vertizontaal?feature=mhum if you like period films.
Groeten uit The Netherlands.
Hoi Koffie, leuk dat je langskomt! Ik zal de video gelijk gaan bekijken.
Ik had ooit een lijst met andere geschiedenisblogs, maar het beste wat je kunt doen is bij de andere commenters kijken, vaak leidt hun naam naar hun eigen blog. Er zijn er heel veel in ieder geval! Succes :)
Regardless of what we think and believe, 19th century had a distinct charm to it. Victorian era has shaped the culture of numerous countries all over the world.
Dear one~ I have nominated your blog for a Liebster award. Please go to my blog page to get the info http://www.youwhoineverknew.wordpress.com and Congrats :)
Kassie aka “Mom’
It’s really great that people are sharing this inriomatfon.
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Hiya
Thought I would ask here if anyone knows of a source for victorian era style visiting/calling cards..Thanks
Margaret Cook
http://www.victorianyear1865.blogspot.com
I love your blog! :) I was looking for a good definition for demimondaines and your blog had the best explanation. I can’t wait to explore the other topics you’ve covered!
This is a great discovery! I’m pulling your link on my blog, Victorian Scribbles. I’m also following you now.
I’m not sure where you’re getting your info, but good topic.
I needs to spend some time learning much more
or understanding more. Thanks for magnificent information I was looking for this
information for my mission.
Hello, my name is Paul and I’m from England.. I would like to know what the Dutch refer to as our “Victorian” or “Edwardian” era.. Do you refer yo these times by the current king or queen in your country?
Hey Paul, thanks for your comment! In the Netherlands, the only term in use for this period is “nineteenth century” (in Dutch it’s “negentiende eeuw”) Sometimes the word “Victorian” is used as an adjective, for example to say “a Victorian dress” (in Dutch: een Victoriaanse jurk”). The word Edwardian is not much used except by Art Historians or other experts. We don’t use the names of our royalty at all to refer to a certain period of time.
Hi, thank you so much for your informative reply.. I was working in Uden at the time and have many Dutch friends.. Talking with them about cultural differences fascinates me..
I am back in England now but have only just seen the blog again.. I shall enjoy the rest of it.. Regards Paul
Hello – my husband and I have recently open a printing machinery museum showing our private collection of printing equipment from the 19th to mid 20th century. In the near future, in addition to the historical information on the machinery and various manufacturers of the era, we would like to also add a new feature on our website to also show how people lived, what people ate, and working condition in those factories, etc during the period. I’ve just started to do the research on the subject, and am so happy to have found your blog. It’ll be a while before the feature is up and running, but I will be busy reading your every post. Thank you so much.
I was so happy to find your blog, especially the suggestion of the book by Joanne Shattock. I think it will be helpful with my writing. I would love to read a post about Victorian women in Colonial India. Do you have any expertise in the field?
thnk you mame. I was watcheing a documentary on john law olmensted bilder of central park ny it stated his mother died of a overdose of laudamun I never heard of this so I googled it and was taken to your insteristing remembrance thank you again, neil
Great blog
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any
widgets I could add to my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates.
I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you
would have some experience with something like this.
Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for
network marketing
Fantasic blog – keep up the good work!
Hello! I just found your blog and am very much enjoying it. I also have started a blog on Victorian literature. I have a Masters in Literature and wanted to continue my literary studies in the Victorian era. I’d love for you to check out my page! http://thevictorianreview.blogspot.com/
Just checking out some other Victorian bloggers. I like the unique angle of your blog. I also maintain a blog on Victorian literature and am currently doing a book giveaway on a biography of Queen Victoria, if you want to enter. Thanks.
Hello, Geerte. I see you are from Groningen. My ancestors lived in/near Grootegast forever, and we’ve traced the Rozema line all the way back to the late 1600s. My grandfather was a day laborer who came to America in the late 1890s. I have read a lot on the Internet about the history of Holland, but I want to learn more about the every day life and customs in Friesland and Groningen prior to World War I. Are there any books or sources in English that you can recommend? Thanks for your interesting blog.
I share your Victorian interests. See my facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/clericalerrors.
Hello Geerte, I am tracing my family history and I have two photos of unknown relatives from Sweden that I am trying to date. Could you give me your opinion of the date of the dresses that they are wearing if I sent their pictures to you? I would estimate the 1860’s but I am not well versed in Victorian fashion. Thank you.
I’m writing a novel that takes place in 19th century Peru, but my protagonists are originally from the US. I’m hoping to find the occasional piece of info in your blog that will help me make them more real.
The Victorian era is a truly fascinating time in history and this blog provides detailed information and insights about this period. It shows the major differences in time, the 19th century compared to the 21st and shows many different aspects of the era e.g schooling, fashion, etc. This is beneficial to researchers as it allows for a wider scope for research.