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Victorian Passions

Victorian Passions


Image of the Albert Memorial

Season guide


Victorian Passions is a season of four films set to challenge our image of Victorian Britain as a buttoned up, prudish and unsmiling society.

From Queen Victoria's own passionate relationships, to the story of Arthur Munby and his servant lover, these films lift the lid on another side to Victorian life and challenge some of our long-held myths.

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Engraving of Queen Victoria's wedding

Queen Victoria's Men

Picture gallery


A visual history of Queen Victoria as she was portrayed in paintings and photography of the day.

Also in this section:
Opinion – the show experts give us their views



Sir Richard Francis Burton

The Victorian Sex Explorer

Picture gallery


Ahead of his times or dubious undercover agent? Images of Victorian explorer, translator and orientalist, Sir Richard Francis Burton.

Also in this section:
Gallery tour – with Rupert Everett



Photograph of Charles Dickens

Dickens' Secret Lover

Dickens' Secrets


Dickens expert John Bowen says Dickens' life was twice broken by deep divisions that left guilty and shameful secrets.



Dr Diane Atkinson

Upstairs Downstairs Love

Challenging society head on


Author of 'Love & Dirt', Diane Atkinson, describes the forbidden love of a Victorian barrister and his maid servant.

Also in this section:
Competition – win a copy of Diane Atkinson's 'Love & Dirt'



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