Curating a Queen: How Victoria Used her Library to Create and Maintain her own Image
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Exeter
Department Name: English
Abstract
The changing role of the monarchy under Queen Victoria cannot be understated in its significance. Victoria oversaw the transition of monarchy from an institution of some state power to, by the beginning of the twentieth century, one that is recognisable to us today; one of pure ceremony and imagery, with the right only to be consulted, to encourage, and to warn (in the words of Walter Bagehot). It was the presentation of this "symbolic monarch" that required so much attention and maintenance, and this forms the context of this project.
The idea of "self-improvement" is one that can apply to any expression in Victoria's spectrum of fronts; as a princess, monarch, empress, wife, mother, widow, woman and individual. As such, I would consider what Victoria's aims were in this constant scheme of improvement, with the ambition of discovering how successful she felt herself to be in achieving those ends. I am initially interested in exploring the following:
1) What methods were employed by Victoria to create and maintain an image? Her pioneering method of keeping the monarchy relevant is arguably the reason for its survival, and thus its successful foundation is an important factor in understanding Queen Victoria.
2) Did Victoria, as a monarch, adapt the way she expressed herself to different people? One of Victoria's more well-known diary entries contains her overawed reaction to Florence Nightingale when the two met at Balmoral in September 1856. Having access to letters written by the people she met, would be an interesting way to gauge her reactions.
3) How did Victoria's methods of self-improvement change throughout her life? There is no doubt that Victoria was accustomed to literary, musical and artistic culture from a young age. I am interested in exploring changes in the material she read, for example, once she took more control of her own life as an adult.
4) Were there any figures that Victoria attempted to emulate? As a queen, a rare figure in the British monarchy, I would be curious to explore any female role models that Victoria may have had, either in Britain or abroad. This would be particularly important in exploring Victoria as a woman in her role as monarch. Elizabeth I, for example, was a monarch whose rule was fuelled by the adoration and innovations of her people.
There is a corpus of material available for the completion of this project, and I aim to use all the resources I have the opportunity to access. I would principally use the literature available, as primary sources will be central to understanding Victoria's self-curatorship in a way that has thus far not been accomplished. The life of Queen Victoria is one that is constantly a source of fascination to many, in both academic circles and the public. However, there remains the idea that Victoria was a passive character in her own reign, the circumstances of which were out of her control; a monarchical pawn that was what she needed to be to her contemporaries, and one that has since been adapted to suit her legacy in the modern world.
The idea of "self-improvement" is one that can apply to any expression in Victoria's spectrum of fronts; as a princess, monarch, empress, wife, mother, widow, woman and individual. As such, I would consider what Victoria's aims were in this constant scheme of improvement, with the ambition of discovering how successful she felt herself to be in achieving those ends. I am initially interested in exploring the following:
1) What methods were employed by Victoria to create and maintain an image? Her pioneering method of keeping the monarchy relevant is arguably the reason for its survival, and thus its successful foundation is an important factor in understanding Queen Victoria.
2) Did Victoria, as a monarch, adapt the way she expressed herself to different people? One of Victoria's more well-known diary entries contains her overawed reaction to Florence Nightingale when the two met at Balmoral in September 1856. Having access to letters written by the people she met, would be an interesting way to gauge her reactions.
3) How did Victoria's methods of self-improvement change throughout her life? There is no doubt that Victoria was accustomed to literary, musical and artistic culture from a young age. I am interested in exploring changes in the material she read, for example, once she took more control of her own life as an adult.
4) Were there any figures that Victoria attempted to emulate? As a queen, a rare figure in the British monarchy, I would be curious to explore any female role models that Victoria may have had, either in Britain or abroad. This would be particularly important in exploring Victoria as a woman in her role as monarch. Elizabeth I, for example, was a monarch whose rule was fuelled by the adoration and innovations of her people.
There is a corpus of material available for the completion of this project, and I aim to use all the resources I have the opportunity to access. I would principally use the literature available, as primary sources will be central to understanding Victoria's self-curatorship in a way that has thus far not been accomplished. The life of Queen Victoria is one that is constantly a source of fascination to many, in both academic circles and the public. However, there remains the idea that Victoria was a passive character in her own reign, the circumstances of which were out of her control; a monarchical pawn that was what she needed to be to her contemporaries, and one that has since been adapted to suit her legacy in the modern world.
People |
ORCID iD |
| John Plunkett (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Gabrielle Fields (Student) |