Why did the Victorian era become the age of the beard?
In short: From a symbol of health to a marker of masculinity, facial hair underwent a dramatic evolution in 19th-century Britain. This lecture explores the cultural shifts that turned a simple grooming choice into a complex social statement.
Professor Richard J Evans examines the shifting role of facial hair in Victorian Britain, investigating how beards functioned as signifiers of masculinity and perceived disease protection. The lecture tracks the specific styles of the era, analyzing the mechanisms behind how these trends evolved and why they eventually fell out of fashion.
The presentation is framed by the long-standing tradition of Gresham College, which has provided free public lectures in central London since 1597.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: The Victorian Beard - by Professor Richard J Evans
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