The Historiography of Queen Victoria: On the Threshold of Private Psychoanalysis and Public Feminism

Queen Victoria was one of the longest rulers in history, and one of the few British women to carry a nation from near revolution to empire in the course of her lifetime. With such an impressive longevity, the Queen saw many events pass by, and experienced many important landmarks in her own life as well. Living through so much rich history, she was one of the most documented monarchs. In this paper, I will critique the historiography of Queen Victoria’s life. Too many historians use the psychohistorical method to describe her life; a feminist method is necessary for a new and more accurate historiography.