Isabella Tod; 19th-century women's advocate Isabella Maria Susan Tod was born on May 18, 1836, in Edinburgh, Scotland. She died on December 8, 1896, in Belfast Ireland. What she did during her 60 years on earth is quite remarkable. Women in World History: A Biographical Encyclopedia relates that her biographer, Maria Luddy, observed that her [...]
Gertrude Bell - 20th-Century Middle East Influencer Gertrude Margaret Lowthian Bell was born on July 14, 1868, in Washington New Hall, County Durham, England. Her father was the industrialist, Sir Thomas Hugh Bell. Her grandfather was Sir Isaac Lowthian Bell, a Parliamentarian who worked with Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli. She was destined to lead an [...]
In our last article, we explored the romantic quotes from Jane Austen and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Today, we move on to the Brontë Sisters. The Brontë Sisters Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë have given us some of the most quotable romantic moments in 19th-century literature. Charlotte and Emily are more well known but Anne holds [...]
Romance was a lot different during the 1800s. Courtship and marriage rituals evolved throughout the century and remain a subject of much fascination, even 200 years later. Even the most romantic literature of the day seems quaint today, yet we enjoy the thought of a ‘simpler time’ (which they were not) when social status and [...]
We love our customers! We often hear how our clothing enhances the lives of our customers. Many are hopeless romantics who relate how they feel beautiful, filled with romance in their hearts. “I feel so romantic," 'I feel like a princess,” and “I feel like royalty,” are some of the phrases they use. We’re so [...]
When Thomas Nast (1840-1902) died, he was eulogized as the “Father of American Political Cartoon” by the New York Times. He spent thirty years between 1857 and 1887 as an illustrator and cartoonist for Harper’s Weekly. But, political cartoons were not his only claim to fame. A more lasting legacy that touches us all still [...]
While visiting the Tampa Bay area of Florida last week, I was able to take in the first day of the Victorian Stroll at the Henry B. Plant Museum at the University of Tampa. It was a wonderful way to kick off the Christmas holiday season! The Henry B. Plant Museum started out as the [...]
We sponsored a contest in which we honored Louisa May Alcott's sister characters from "Little Women" by asking our newsletter subscribers to tell us which of the March sisters inspires them most. Although we didn't ask for more than a name, the impact of the author's story and characters in this novel was more than [...]
The Advent wreath wasn’t invented by the Victorians, but its modernization came about during the period and its place among Christian traditions was solidified during the era. We have Johann Hinrich Wichern to thank for the Advent wreath we recognize today. So, who was this man? Johann Hinrich Wichern was born on April 21, 1808, [...]