Taking a closer look at the prim & priggish customs, beliefs, and practices unique to the Victorian era.

In the Time of Queen Victoria

Feminism

A Victorian-era competition likely would have been forgotten to history if not for the work of <a href="https://twitter.com/DigiVictorian/status/964842367508516864" target="_blank">Dr. Bob Nicholson</a>, who shared his find on Twitter. In 1889,&nbsp;Tit-Bits magazine offered a prize to the spinster who could provide&nbsp;the best answer to the question: Why are you still single?&nbsp;The results proved far too hilariously on point for the magazine to choose just a single winner. Instead, they published their favorites and gave each winner five&nbsp;shillings &ndash; the equivalent of about $26 today.

The Victorians are most commonly known for their <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/victorian-mourning-customs/lisa-waugh" target="_blank">morbid death and mourning customs</a>,&nbsp; but the quotes found here prove they were no stranger to comedy. Though Tit-bits never picked a winner, you can, by voting on your favorite <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/historical-clapbacks-that-sound-fake-but-are-true/melissa-sartore" target="_blank">responses</a> below.&nbsp;

A Victorian Magazine Asked Spinsters Why They Were Single, And The Answers Were Incredibly Savage

General

Garri Chaverst

The relationship between Anne Sullivan and <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/facts-about-helen-keller/justin-andress" target="_blank">Helen Keller</a> went beyond pupil and teacher. It was based in Sullivan's ability to open up the world for Keller. Deaf, blind, and mute due to a childhood illness, Helen Keller learned to read, write, and speak through the tireless efforts of her instructor, friend, and companion, Anne Sullivan. &nbsp;Anne Sullivan's <a href="http://www.afb.org/asm/AnneEducationalPhilosophy.asp" target="_blank">teaching philosophy</a> was based on making learning active, enjoyable, and on going. Through finger-spelling, gestures, Braille, and vocal training, Sullivan&nbsp;gave Keller the gifts of language, expression, and liberation. She made the world available to Helen through her compassion, tireless efforts, and innovative pedagogy. How exactly did Anne Sullivan bring the previously unavailable outside world in to Helen Keller? Read on to find out.&nbsp;

How Exactly Did Anne Sullivan Teach Helen Keller To Communicate?

How Did Anne Sullivan Teach Helen Keller To Communicate?

Melissa Sartore

Lists about some of the most extraordinary women who made history, forever changing the world and how we see it.

Well-Behaved Women

Explainer

Eleanor of Aquitaine was a wife to two of the most important kings of the 12th century, but even aside from her marriages, she was a fascinating woman in her own right.

The facts about Eleanor of Aquitaine speak for themselves:&nbsp;she was the rightful ruler of the ancient duchy of Aquitaine in southern France, heiress to witty sovereign dukes who both supported&nbsp;great musicians and conducted love affairs with abandon, and forcibly married to a monk-like boy as a teenager. Decades later, she managed to separate from him, <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/violent-medieval-monarchs/carly-silver" target="_blank">choose her own husband</a> (though her independence in the choice is debatable), and become a powerful ruler on both sides of the English Channel for multiple decades.

The life of Eleanor of Aquitaine included crusades, art, numerous&nbsp;children, and diplomatic journeys across Europe, even as she reached her seventies. She sought to keep her family at&nbsp;peace &ndash;&nbsp;except when she rebelled, of course &ndash;&nbsp;and she was a fierce advocate for her own rights as a sovereign duchess. Intelligent, desirable, and savvy, Eleanor was truly a woman for the ages.

16 Facts That Prove Eleanor of Aquitaine Was Not to Be Messed With

Things You Never Knew About Eleanor of Aquitaine

Carly Silver

Princess Isabella is one of many Braveheart characters that are&nbsp;based on historical figures. Like the character in the film, the historical Queen Isabella was the daughter-in-law of Edward I, the brutal English king who set his sights on Scotland. But the similarities stop there: Braveheart's Princess Isabella&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/historical-figure-inaccuracies-in-movies/isadora-teich" target="_blank">barely resembles</a>&nbsp;the historical Queen Isabella. Worse,&nbsp;Braveheart completely strips her of all her glorious complexity and power by reducing her to <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/true-story-of-william-wallace-execution/nicky-benson" target="_blank">William Wallace</a>’s love interest. The historical Isabella's&nbsp;wild life was a lot more interesting than Braveheart lets on.Who was the real Queen Isabella of France? Intelligent, beautiful, and strong, she was the leading lady of one of the most dramatic chapters in&nbsp;14th century English history. Born a French princess in the late 13th century, 12-year-old Isabella became Queen of England when she married 23-year-old King Edward II in 1308. But she never intended to be a royal consort&nbsp;that sat on the sidelines, especially as she saw her husband's popularity sink. She soon earned the nickname “the She Wolf” when she engineered a daring rebellion against Edward.The tale of Isabella of France the rebel queen has all the ingredients of a <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-historically-inaccurate-movies/genevieve-carlton" target="_blank">Hollywood epic</a>. Of all the terrible&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/historical-mistakes-errors-and-inaccuracies-in-braveheart/machk" target="_blank">inaccuracies in Braveheart</a>, the erasure of Queen Isabella’s story of romance, murder, and rebellion&nbsp;is the most unforgivable.

Isabella &quot;The She Wolf&quot; Was A Force To Be Reckoned With,&nbsp;But Braveheart Erased Her From History

Isabella "The She Wolf" Was A Force To Be Reckoned With  – And Braveheart Erased Her Story From History

Setareh Janda

Barbara Hutton might not be a name that rings many bells today, but in her time she was notorious. She was the Woolworth heiress whom the press dubbed “poor little rich girl.” She was one of <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-richest-women-in-america/worlds-richest-people-lists">the richest women in the world</a>, with a fortune of almost a billion dollars in today’s money. Hutton was also never out of the papers, with gossip columnists following her every move.Her life had all the fodder for a Lifetime movie:&nbsp;a rivalry&nbsp;with another heiress, more than one tragic death, and a devastating&nbsp;riches to rags life trajectory. <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1979/05/13/heiress-barbara-hutton-dies-at-66/5ef69ce7-63ac-4f2d-bf89-62972348786d/?utm_term=.6b1dbbe7fd87" target="_blank">Hutton&nbsp;once said</a>, “Money alone can't bring you happiness, but money alone has not brought me unhappiness.” But when you read about her life you have to wonder if that was really true. She might have been a lot happier without all that cash weighing her down. Learn all about the poor little rich girl, and decide for yourself whether or not money can solve all of your problems.&nbsp;

Stories From The Fall Of The World's First &quot;Poor Little Rich Girl,&quot; Barbara Hutton

How The Richest Woman In America Completely Self-Destructed And Died Dirt-Poor

Kathy Benjamin

Royalty

Queen Elizabeth I was not just one of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/most-enlightened-leaders-in-world-history/mike-rothschild" target="_blank">most significant rulers in English history</a> - she was also an amazing queen who defied expectations. Even within the storied English monarchy, Elizabeth stands out. She proved to the early modern world that women could be exceptional rulers.

The England that Elizabeth inherited in 1558 was a troubled one. Her father, Henry VIII, had done what no other monarch&nbsp;had done before him -&nbsp;he expanded the monarchy by breaking with the Catholic Church and making England a Protestant country. That religious rupture with Europe had profound effects and led to conflicts between Catholics and Protestants. Torn apart by instability, England badly needed a strong ruler to steer the direction of its future. After&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/british-monarchy-history-causes-of-death/info-lists" target="_blank">her father&#39;s passing</a>&nbsp;and a number of short-lived successors,&nbsp;Elizabeth took&nbsp;the throne. Elizabeth - a young woman who was never supposed to be queen -&nbsp;was up to the task.

In her 44 years on the throne, she helped bring peace, stability, confidence, and wealth to her people. She charted a middle way in politics and religion and ensured that England remained independent in the face of turmoil on the European continent. Under Elizabeth&rsquo;s leadership, England&rsquo;s maritime destiny was laid out&nbsp;and explorers dipped their toes into the so-called New World.

To this day, Elizabeth remains a standout in the British royal family and deserves her <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/the-all-time-greatest-people-in-history/alan-smithee?ref=also_ranked&amp;pos=1&amp;a=0&amp;ltype=n&amp;l=2239085&amp;g=1" target="_blank">place in history as one of the greatest</a>.

Why Queen Elizabeth I Was The Most Hardcore Ruler England Has Ever Seen

Why Queen Elizabeth I Was The Most Badass Ruler England Has Ever Seen

World History

You&#39;ve likely heard tales of Anne Boleyn, the alluring woman who convinced King <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-battles-of-henry-viii-of-england/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Henry VIII of England</a> to give up his wife and child, break from the Catholic Church, and marry her. And she was the mother of one of the most renowned monarchs in British history, Elizabeth I.&nbsp;But there&#39;s a lot more to Anne than just her personal affairs, many of which were magnified or inaccurately portrayed by those with a political agenda after her death. So,&nbsp;who was Anne Boleyn really?

The life of Anne Boleyn was anything but boring.&nbsp;Anne was a brilliant, engaging young woman with the best education her family&#39;s position at court could provide. She served under many of the royal women in Europe, was&nbsp;known for her wit, and loved all things French. And once she married <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/violent-medieval-monarchs/carly-silver" target="_blank">King Henry VIII</a>, Anne did anything - absolutely anything - to keep her marriage intact. An Anne Boleyn biography might also mention her family&#39;s affairs with her husband, her religious fervor, and rumors that her ghost&nbsp;still haunts people. All in all, there are some weird Anne Boleyn facts.

18 Facts About The Dramatic Life Of Anne Boleyn

Strange Facts About Anne Boleyn

Why are women still having to ask to be treated like human beings?

Time's Up

A lot of the time, it seems women and men are living in two different realities, and the reality for&nbsp;women is a lot darker. These are the women who refused to stay silent about the darkness and spoke out. With a hat tip to the Reddit forum&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/TrollXChromosomes/" target="_blank">r/TrollXChromosomes</a>, check out these awesome women who refused to stay silent in the face of sexism.

28 Times Women Saw Sexism In The World And Weren't Going To Take It Anymore

Anthony Barstow

As long as men have been making history, women have been walking right beside them.

Herstory: Women of the Past

Historical Figures

Women war heroes prove that bravery and endurance are not reserved for male military personnel. Many women have served on the front lines, in the resistance, behind the wheel of convoys, in the cockpits of outdated planes, and in hospitals patching up the injured with little more than a standard first aid kit. Women and the war effort have always - and will always - go hand-in-hand.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Night Witches of the Soviet Union took old clunker crop dusters and confounded the German air force. Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester found herself in the middle of an orchestrated attack in Iraq and turned the firepower back on the insurgents. The White Rose of Stalingrad took down numerous enemy aircraft and flew into legendary status.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Female war heroes also include the Dahomey Amazons, wives of the king who shocked their enemies with fierceness and audacity. Or the Vietnamese warriors of legend like the Trung Sisters.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The role of women in wars hasn&rsquo;t always been clear or easy. Cathay Williams changed her appearance and fought in the Union Army as a man until her gender was discovered. But for a while, she fought in the Civil War along with other formerly enslaved people. Then there&#39;s the Polish spy who may have inspired two of Ian Fleming&#39;s Bond girls.&nbsp;

As we look at women in military history, there are myriad ways they serve. Women at home were working in factories making products for the war effort, but there were brave women who saw war up close. Some were able to share their experiences and become historians, teachers, instructors, colonels, and generals. Others faced poverty and lack of recognition for their war efforts.&nbsp;&nbsp;

There are millions who have served. This list of women war heroes sheds a little light on a few.&nbsp;

28 Female War Heroes You've Never Heard About

Person

Female War Heroes | Women Who Fought in Wars in History

Lisa Waugh

UPDATED: Check out <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-influential-women-2020/calistylie" target="_blank">the most influential women of 2020</a>!

From inspirational female celebrities to businesswomen to political activists, women have made a truly amazing impact in 2019! They know that the greatest women in history change the game for the generations that follow in terms of the power and the presence women have in society. Even while much of the news about women in the world has been bleak, there are still women illuminating and addressing systemic problems in the United States and the world.

Young female politicians like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are being voted into places of power and finding ways to be a vocal presence for people who are often overlooked. There are more powerful world leaders who are women making headlines - many of which are written by female journalists difficult topics into perspective for the public. Movements like Me Too continue highlighting the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/people-accused-of-sexual-harassment-after-weinstein/donn-saylor" target="_blank">epidemic of sexual violence</a> in Hollywood and elsewhere, gaining ever more momentum as they are spearheaded and supported by female celebrities.

Who are the most inspiring women of 2019? Vote up the most influential women below and feel free to add anyone you think is missing!

The Most Influential Women of 2019

The 50+ Most Influential Women of 2019, Ranked

Jules Burke

Social Media & Texts

When some people see oppression in the world, they stay silent, wondering what they can do about it.&nbsp;Others, however, stand up and say something. These are the women who chose that second path, spotting sexism in the world and calling it out for what it is. Whether powerful judges and legislators or everyday women on social media, these folks would not let injustice stand.

With a hat tip to the Reddit forum <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/TrollXChromosomes/" target="_blank">r/TrollXChromosomes</a>, check out these awesome women who refused to stay silent in the face of sexism.

24 Times Women Clapped Back At Obvious Sexism And It Was Excellent

24 Women Who Saw Sexism In The World And Called It Out

Exploring the real people, historical events, and behind the scenes of Netflix's series that follows the life of Queen Elizabeth II and her family.

The Crown

Of all the scandalous women in history, Wallis Simpson is probably one of the most vilified, the most fascinating, and the most misunderstood. Since she first made a splash on the international stage in the 1930s, interest in her has only grown, thanks in no small part to the success of films and television shows in recent years like The King's Speech and Netflix's The Crown. People have imagined Simpson as everything from a victim&nbsp;to a romantic heroine and fashion icon, and she has even been accused of being a seductress and a Nazi spy.This American socialite became notorious for her affair with Prince Edward. Edward was not just any old prince: he was the eldest son and heir of his father, King George V, and was thus next in line to the throne of the United Kingdom. His obsession with Simpson did not lessen when he become King Edward VIII in 1936 - he was so besotted with her that he actually went through the trouble of abdicating the throne so that he could marry her. Known as the Duke and&nbsp;Duchess of Windsor after Edward's abdication, the couple captured the public's imagination. The public saw their love affair as a storybook fantasy, and the couple became the poster children of romance winning out over duty and defying the contempt of the government.There is no consensus about Wallis Simpson's motivations or even some details about her private life. But there are enough tantalizing, fascinating facts about this woman to keep historians intrigued.

13 Scandalous Facts About Wallis Simpson, the Woman Who Seduced a King

Scandalous Facts About Wallis Simpson, the Royal Mistress Who Almost Brought Down the British Monarchy

When some people see oppression in the world, they stay silent, wondering what they can do about it.&nbsp;Others, however, stand up and say something. These are the women who chose that second path, spotting sexism in the world and calling it out for what it is. Whether powerful judges and legislators or everyday women on social media, these folks would not let injustice stand.

With a hat tip to the Reddit forum&nbsp;r/<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/TrollXChromosomes/" target="_blank">TrollXChromosomes</a>, check out these awesome women who refused to stay silent in the face of sexism.

24 Women Who Saw Sexism In The World And Were Not Having It

Lists about the true stories that inspired books, films, TV, and other stories you think you know. 

What Really Happened

History

Anyone who grew up reading Scott O&rsquo;Dell&rsquo;s classic&nbsp;Island of the Blue Dolphins was probably captivated by <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/overpowered-anime-characters/crystal-brackett?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">the main character</a>. She is a young woman who lives on an island in the Pacific Ocean totally alone. Her entire tribe has left the island, while she remains behind. Many people may not know or realize that O&rsquo;Dell based his novel on a real event and a real life: that of&nbsp;Juana Maria, the Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island.

Born sometime in the early 19th century &mdash; no one knows for certain when &mdash; the woman who would eventually be known as Juana Maria of San Nicolas Island spent a significant portion of her life completely isolated from human contact. Though she was ultimately removed from her solitude in 1853, her future off the island was a brief one.

Historians have been able to piece together relatively few facts about Juana&rsquo;s life. Taken as a whole, they reveal a tragic, heartbreaking story of a woman who, even when found, still remained lost in so many ways. Like the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/everyday-life-on-the-trail-of-tears/rylee_en" target="_blank">Trail of Tears</a>&nbsp;that Native Americans were forced to take to her east, Juana Maria&rsquo;s story is one that maps the contours of 19th-century Native American tragedy at the hands of European colonialism.

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The Tragic Life Of Juana Maria, The Lone Woman Of San Nicolas Island

27 Times Women Saw Obvious Sexism In The World And Called It Out

27 Times Women Saw Sexism In The World And Called It Out

Lists of fascinating facts and lesser-known details about the lives of people whose names you learned in History class (or should have).

Down in History

Interesting

If you&rsquo;ve been granted even the scantest American education, you&rsquo;ve probably heard of Helen Keller, the incredible woman who fought her way to prominence after being left both deaf and blind at just 19 months old.&nbsp;

Thanks to the help of&nbsp;her famed teacher Anne Sullivan, Keller was no longer isolated and able to communicate on behalf of the disenfranchised. She was a tireless advocate for education and women&rsquo;s rights until her peaceful death in 1968. For decades, her perseverance and ingenuity have been righteously celebrated by legions of fans who stand in awe of her achievements. Seriously, without the benefit of sight or hearing, Keller managed to figure out a way to communicate with the world around her with unfailing accuracy. Imagine the kind of brilliance that takes.

The flip side of Keller&rsquo;s intelligence was her increasingly radical social and political beliefs. In her zest to conquer life, Helen Keller was turned on to some revolutionary (and often eccentric) perspectives, and Keller herself was never one to shy away from new ways of thought. You&rsquo;ve heard about Helen Keller&rsquo;s relationship with Sullivan and her courageous quest experience the world even though she could neither see nor hear it, but there&rsquo;s more to the icon than just the Hallmark Channel stuff.

14 Surprising Facts About Helen Keller That They Don't Teach You In School

Facts About Helen Keller You Definitely Didn't Learn in School

Justin Andress

Feminism lists at Ranker - The ultimate source for hundreds of feminism lists and rankings

Feminism lists on Ranker

Janica Kostelić

Your Own Mom

Amy Mainzer

Who run the world? Girls! After compiling this list, we're positive that ladies all over the planet are kicking ass and taking names in almost every field nowadays, sorry not sorry. The amazing female role models on this list are inspiring examples of powerful females, killing it at the tops of their fields and in the trenches, helping to make the world a better place for everyone, but especially for women and girls all over the world.&nbsp;After all, there are presidential candidates, hard-hitting journalists, countless female CEOs and CFOs of major corporations, and a teenage girl who is on the fast track to becoming an MLB superstar. Who are the most inspiring female role models in the world today?Though we tried our best to list as many inspirational women as possible, we're sure we missed some ladies you might look up to, so be sure to add them and rerank this list. Of all these awesome female role models from around the world, which ones inspires you the most? Which of these ladies motivated you to choose your career? Which one of these amazing female role models makes you want to pursue your dreams? &nbsp;After seeing all these awesome female role models together on one list, you'll be more inspired that ever to conquer anything! Vote up the women who inspire you the most and add any other&nbsp;inspirational women, successful women, and strong female role models you think girls and women the world over should know about.