The Victorian Beard - by Professor Richard J Evans | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

The Victorian era saw the rise in popularity of beards among men as a sign of masculinity, which became a socially acceptable fashion trend.

Key Insights

• 🤘 Beards became a sign of masculinity and manliness in Victorian Britain.
• 🧔 The collapse of the chartist movement and the defeat of European Revolutions in 1848 made beards socially acceptable.
• 🧔‍♂️ The peak of the beard trend was in the 1870s, with a statistical survey showing that half of the men in The Illustrated London News had a full beard.
• 🧔‍♂️ Beards were associated with aggression, hairiness, and individuality. They allowed men to avoid showing weak expressions of emotion.
• 🚙 Sports played a role in the popularity of beards as they became symbols of masculinity and accompanied the rise of organized sports.
• 😷 The miasmic theory of disease provided a medical justification for growing a beard, although it was not the primary reason for its popularity.
• 🧔 Notable figures like Charles Dickens and Thomas Carlyle grew beards, and the length of one's beard could signify their alignment with certain ideals or social classes.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: Why did beards become fashionable in Victorian Britain?

Beards became fashionable due to their association with masculinity and manliness. They were seen as a sign of political and cultural unconventionality, especially after the collapse of the chartist movement.

Q: Did technology play a role in the popularity of beards?

Surprisingly, the rise in popularity of beards defied technological advancements such as the safety razor. Many Victorian gentlemen opted for beards as it symbolized aggression and hairiness, which were associated with manliness.

Q: What role did sports play in the popularity of beards?

The rise of organized sports in the Victorian era coincided with the popularity of beards. Beards became a symbol of masculinity and accompanied the trend of organized sports, reaching a peak in the 1870s.

Q: Were there any medical justifications for growing a beard?

Some individuals justified growing a beard based on the miasmic theory of disease which suggested that beards could act as a filter against unhealthy vapors. However, the main reason for growing a beard was to present an impassive and strong appearance to the world.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Beards and mustaches were a common characteristic of Victorian men, from poets to politicians.

• The trend of wearing beards started in the late 1840s and became socially acceptable following the collapse of the chartist movement.

• The beard trend reached its peak in the 1870s, with half of the men in The Illustrated London News sporting a full beard.