Victorian

T.F. Chambers describes the fate of the first large steamship to be built of iron.

In 1828, writes John Adair, the great patriot’s tomb was rudely disturbed by an enquiring Whig historian.

The purchase system, writes Robert Woodall, was regarded by its opponents as the main obstacle to the creation of professional officer corps.

Once Rowland Hill had launched the Penny Post, many British citizens, it was said, first learned to read that they might enjoy a letter. By Dee Moss.

George Grey was governor in succession of South Australia, New Zealand, Cape Colony and New Zealand again. Cyril Hamshere charts a most remarkable career in the Victorian Colonial service.

Had Trench’s ambitious projects been carried through, writes John M. Robinson, London might have rivalled St Petersburg in neo-classical magnificence.

Joanna Richardson profiles a figure who carried her Republicanism to the edge, though not across the border, of Socialism.

Prudence Hannay profiles a sporting magnate in the midland shires; Viscont Althorp was also a Radical Whig who piloted through the House of Commons the Reform Bill of 1832.

Len Ortzen describes the Coup d’etat in Paris which prepared the way for the Second Empire.

D.H. Burton describes how, aged twenty-five, Holmes, an influential future US supreme court justice, paid a summer visit during which he made many distinguished friendships.