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Scandal and Crime in Victorian England with Dr. Julie Taddeo

Scandal and Crime in Victorian England with Dr. Julie Taddeo


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

From body snatchers and Jack the Ripper to lady poisoners and Sherlock Holmes, the Victorians relished stories (real and fictional) about crime and scandal. Journey back to 19th century England as we use the most notorious cases to understand the larger social and cultural contexts in which they occurred and how they are remembered today.

The Victorians have been immortalized by popular culture as stuffy and repressed, but nothing could be further than the truth. Though they espoused a culture of civility and decorum, in reality they craved scandal and gobbled up news stories about the latest crimes. From Queen Victoria's alleged romances with Lord Melbourne and her servant John Brown, to ghoulish reports of body snatching or Jack the Ripper's murder spree, there was never a lack of scandal or crime to read or talk about over tea. But aside from being newsworthy, terrifying, and titillating, these scandals and crimes shed light on the larger culture, with its rigid class system, restricted gender roles, and anxieties about the nation's imperial status as the Queen neared the end of her 63 year reign. We will look at certain crimes and scandals as a lens to explore the larger Victorian history and also how this history is presented in pop culture today.

Led by an expert on British cultural history, Dr. Julie Taddeo, this interactive seminar will explore the Victorian era through crime and scandal. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding of the society at large in that period and how it was reflected in popular culture.

Dr. Julie Taddeo is Research Professor of History at University of Maryland. Her area of expertise is Modern British social and cultural history. She has published several books on such topics as the Bloomsbury Group, Steampunk, British period drama television, and reality TV.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 12 reviews
83%
(10)
17%
(2)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
A
A. (Crofton, US)
Who doesn’t love crime and scandal?

Dr. Taddeo presented a very interesting and accessible talk on the Victorian era pertaining to crime and the scandal arising from it. She also looked behind some of the more infamous events to detail how it affected the victims and their families and how it was not limited to one social class. Prejudices against groups of people and professions were also discussed. The slides presented along with the discussion were excellent.

H
H.M. (San Anselmo, US)
Stories behind Victorian Scandals and more

The topic interested meeting because I have recently read a story about a serial killer from that time period. The scandals around Queen Victoria were new to me. Quite enjoyable. It was another way of looking at history and I enjoyed it.

H
H.D. (Pittsburgh, US)
Fun and interesting!

I really enjoyed this seminar. It was filled with interesting stories that gave a glimpse into many of the issues of the time through the intersections of scandal and crime.

L
L.S. (Portland, US)
Very interesting and enjoyable.

My first Context Travel lecture will not be much last!

C
C.B. (Wilmington, US)
Creepy in a Good Way

This is a fascinating discussion of the Victorians, their foibles, and their scandals. I have a new appreciation for the dark side of the 19th century.

Customer Reviews

Based on 12 reviews
83%
(10)
17%
(2)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
A
A. (Crofton, US)
Who doesn’t love crime and scandal?

Dr. Taddeo presented a very interesting and accessible talk on the Victorian era pertaining to crime and the scandal arising from it. She also looked behind some of the more infamous events to detail how it affected the victims and their families and how it was not limited to one social class. Prejudices against groups of people and professions were also discussed. The slides presented along with the discussion were excellent.

H
H.M. (San Anselmo, US)
Stories behind Victorian Scandals and more

The topic interested meeting because I have recently read a story about a serial killer from that time period. The scandals around Queen Victoria were new to me. Quite enjoyable. It was another way of looking at history and I enjoyed it.

H
H.D. (Pittsburgh, US)
Fun and interesting!

I really enjoyed this seminar. It was filled with interesting stories that gave a glimpse into many of the issues of the time through the intersections of scandal and crime.

L
L.S. (Portland, US)
Very interesting and enjoyable.

My first Context Travel lecture will not be much last!

C
C.B. (Wilmington, US)
Creepy in a Good Way

This is a fascinating discussion of the Victorians, their foibles, and their scandals. I have a new appreciation for the dark side of the 19th century.