This accessible introduction to Victorian literature and its contexts from 1837-1901 includes: • An overview of the historical, cultural and intellectual background including politics and economics, popular culture, philosophy and religion • A survey of the developments in key genres including discussion of major writers such as the Bronts, the Brownings, Collins, Dickens, Eliot, Gaskell, Hardy, Rossetti, Shaw, Swinburne, Tennyson and Wilde • Concise explanations of key terms needed to understand the literature and criticism • A guide to key critical approaches • A chronology mapping historical events and literary works • Guided further reading including websites and electronic resources (less)