Robert Brady Jr., age 13, of Rutland, Vt., for his question:

WHEN WAS THE VICTORIAN AGE?

 An 18 year old girl named Victoria became the queen of England in 1837. She ruled as queen for 63 years, the longest reign in British history. The period of time from 1837 until Queen Victoria died in 1901 is called the Victorian died in 1901 is called the VictorianAge.

During the Victorian Age, the British Empire reached its highest position. A quarter of the world's land and about a quarter of the world's people were in the empire. Wealth poured into Britain from all of the colonies.

British industry expanded during the Victorian Age. Railroads and canals covered Britain. Telephone and telegraph lines linked the big cities. Science and literature flourished. It was indeed the golden age.

Depression swept Britain just before Victoria came to power. Then export duties were eliminated and free trade established. And the Victorian Age turned Britain into the world's richest nation.