Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria (May 24, 1819 - January 22, 1901) was a monarch of the United Kingdom. Victoria oversaw the British Empire at the height of its power and influence, largely due to the Industrial Revolution's hold in England. The period of her reign was known as "the Victorian period". Victoria was the daughter of Edward, Duke of Kent, who was the 4th son of King George III, and at her birth she was 5th in line to the throne. She would become Queen in 1837, following William IV. She married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, who became the Prince Consort in 1840.

To date she is Britain's longest-serving monarch, and during her reign the monarchy started to take on its symbolic role in British government. However, although Victoria currently remains Britain's longest serving monarch, on December 22, 2007 she was overtaken by Queen Elizabeth II as Britain's oldest monarch to date (Victoria came to the throne at 18, Elizabeth II at 25).