The Victorian Gaslamp Podcast: Recent Episodes
Heath Aston
Dr Mary Murdoch came from a comfortable life and developed a passion of medicine that would see her have a lasting influence on the society she lived in. Advocating women having careers in medicine, a suffragette and car owner she was well known for racing at speed to aid the sick and injured.
Dr Edward Jenner isn’t a name known to most of us yet he can be credited with the title of having saved more people in history than any other person.
The hideous disease that is smallpox makes an unwelcome visitor to the podcast this episode and we learn of the man that created a new discipline in medicine.
In the era before social media we didn’t have the concerns of violent or vacuous influences upon out children.
Well actually we did – and their viral influence continues through to this day. Welcome to the incredible phenomena that were the Penny Dreadfuls.
The 19th century saw many cultural changes in all aspects of life. Not excluded from these changes was how we arrived and enjoyed that Special Day. This episode takes a look at the legacy we still enjoy today of the traditions for when we say ‘I do’
This episode takes a look at some of the history behind tattooing in the United Kingdom and the cultural and social influences that defined this art during this era.
This last episode for 2025 has a look at the lives of two men that were large parts of Queen Victoria’s life after the passing of her beloved Prince Albert. John Brown and Mohammad Abdul Karim (aka the Munshi) served her majesty faithfully over decades of devoted service.
This episode takes a look at the life of Robert Bald. Now regarded as the father of Scottish engineering he was not only technically brilliant but strove to improve the lives of the men women and children working in the terrible conditions in coal mines.
Imagine being a woman in Victorian England well known for having a scandalous father but less well known for your aptitude for mathematics.
Except that your mother makes sure that you’re introduced to some of the best minds of the century and you go on to literally help change the future of humanity.
Ladies and gentleman, may I introduce Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace
This episode I take a look at something dear to many of our hearts – those furry or feathered friends that become part of our family!
This episode we’re back in the Royal Navy looking at the remarkable life of Sir James Ross. He would go on to travel the world from top to bottom – literally. Leading an amazing life, one of the ships he served with would be immortalized in an anthem well known to many of you…
Finally I’m back!
Thank you for your patience and it’s great to have episodes coming up for you again. This episode we’re heading off to Wales for a look at an interesting rioting style..
In this HUGE season finale episode I look at the life of Josephine Butler. Probably one of the most amazing women of the Victorian era she spent her life dedicated to the rights of women, especially those economically disadvantaged, and in particular, prostitutes. A pioneer of feminism, Josephine fought and raised the age of consent as well as fighting against invasive police examinations of women. Along with creating hostels as safe spaces for women she also aided in women being able to obtain degrees from universities as well as keeping their finances they brought into a marriage.
This week I take a look at something intrinsic to our perception of the Victorian Era – Steam. And more specifically the advent of the technology that created railways – an invention that changed the culture and society of the time.
George Stephenson and his son Robert created the first viable locomotive. This episode I look at their influence on society and their amazing invention.
This episode I take a look at the life of the Prince of Wales. Not William, but Queen Victoria’s son. Albert Edward, known to his family as ‘Bertie’. He changed the way we perceive royalty with an influence still extant today.
This episode I look at the Prime Minister William Lamb. 2nd Viscount Melbourne he was PM when Princess Victoria became Queen Victoria. As Prime Minister, Lamb was a great influence on the young Queen and instrumental in the formation of countries around the world, including Canada and New Zealand.
This 50th episode of the Podcast takes a look at our ostensible patron, Queen Victoria and her life being married to her much loved Prince Albert.
Concluding my two part look at the grave robbing mercenaries that shocked the Kingdom with their horrendous crimes. The most famous of these being William Burke and William Hare.
Beginning a two part podcast, these episodes I’ll be looking at the fact that Edinburgh makes way to many smart people that make advances by not following the rules. Also, a great deal of grave robbing. With decomposed bodies and murder, it was never going to be pretty…
This episode I take a short look at the history of Policing in the 19th century United Kingdom. From a perceived military force, the Metropolitan Police became a civilian entity that sought to serve all the people of London and the Kingdom at large.
This episode I look at the shocking 1811 crime that became known as the Rathcliff Highway Murders.
Horrible violence and shoddy investigations created a sadly typical Victorian tragedy.
This weeks episode looks at the 6th Baron Byron. George Gordan Byron was a legend in his own lifetime. With an amazing heritage he tore through British society in the most scandalous ways. A brilliant poet his life was the stuff of gossip, slander and literary respect.
This episode I look at the education systems in Victorian England. Sure they had the rich schools, but you’ll learn about a man who with determination and a sack of potatoes, changed the lives of tens of thousands of children
I’m back! And with a new episode out before Christmas. This time I look at the life of the man of military man and Irish landlord Charles Cunningham.
This episode I take a look at the remarkable life of Dr Elizabeth Garret Anderson. The first woman to hold a medical licence in the United Kingdom.
This episode I take a look at the infamous Opium Dens of London. Also, I talk about tea and the world’s first monster corporation!
This episode I have a look into the life of author Wilkie Collins. You might not know his work, but what came from it will surprise you. Also, he has another one of those convoluted personal lives…
This episode I have a look at the struggle of life as an Orphan in Victorian England (It wasn’t all song and dance and working for Fagin, trust me!).
This episode of the podcast looks at the life of Victoria before she became Queen. A difficult childhood with an ambitious mother who hoped to be Regent, I have a look at the young woman’s life and how she was trained to rule.
The first episode of 2023 takes a look at one of the most prominent landmarks in London. The beautiful Hyde Park!
Special Xmas mini-episode! In this podcast I have a look at how we got to many of the traditions we enjoy during the Yuletide season. Merry Christmas to you and your families!
This pre-Christmas episode was such a great opportunity! I got to speak with Dr Iwan Morus about his new Victorian Era book on the science and people of the Victorian era and how it has directly influenced us to this day.
His book “How the Victorians took us to the moon” is just out now and makes an excellent Christmas gift.
Finally I’m back and bringing you more amazing stories from Victorian England!
Straight out of the gate we’re talking about Fight Club and the incredible men who boxed in these never ending bouts of bare knuckled violence!
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This episode is a look at the fascinating life of Dr James Barry. Dr Barry was a person ahead of their time in their access to people of privilege but also their support of people less fortunate
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Newgate Prison has been an institution since the 13th century, so it should come as no surprise that it has been a leading light in rehabilitation of criminals. No, just kidding, the place was a living nightmare. Listen to how it treated people and I look at some of the more famous 19th century inmates
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This episode has a look at one of the well known aspects of of the Era. We’ve all seen the tragic hero or heroine suffering from the dreaded Consumption. How they saw this disease though, will really surprise you…
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This episode takes a look at the man who was Prime Minister at the beginning of the 19th Century, William Pitt the Younger.
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This episode takes a look at one of the fundamentals of Victorian society. Etiquette. Would you know what to do in some of the tense social situations you might find yourself in?
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This episode is a light look at one of the era’s great innovations – the humble postage stamp. It helped change the world and open communications regardless of class and wealth.
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In an era that saw incredible achievements throughout the Kingdom, one part of the realm was desperate and dying in the hundreds of thousands. Welcome to mid 19th Century Ireland and the Great Famine.
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This episode I’m having a look at some of the foods people ate and what their diet was like during the Victorian era!
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This episode I take a look at the event of the year 1858 in London and what became known as ‘The Great Stink’
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Isambard Kingdom Brunel was an incredible engineer that changed both his world and the one we live in today. Brilliant by any standard he not only saved lives, but made the world a smaller place.
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This week I take a look at how you would get about in the biggest city in the world. Carriages, trains and ferries oh my!
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This episode I have a look at the items known as Momento Mori – photographs of the recently deceased taken alone or sometimes with family members and why this happened.
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It’s 1861 and in Tooley Street, London a fire breaks out in the warehouses along the docks. This is one of the defining moments in the history of the London Fire Brigade.
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I’m back! Time off for reading and research is over and episodes are returning fortnightly. This week I have a look at19th century dentistry… It ain’t pretty…
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This episode I finish my two part overview of the personal life of the man who will be King and also the cause of what has become known as the ‘Regency Period’. King George IV
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This episode I begin a two part overview of the personal life of the man who will be King and also the cause of what has become known as the ‘Regency Period’. King George IV
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Some things never change, one of these being that humans love to gossip and love a juicy sordid scandal! Some fun entertaining stories from the Victorian era for you this week!
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It’s kind of a Part Two (but not really) where this week I have a look at one of what I think is the pivotal factors in the success of Queen Victoria’s Kingdom throughout the 19th century.
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Sort of a Part One, this and the next podcast are looking at two of what I see as among the biggest factors in the fiscal success of the British Empire in the 19th Century.
Firstly: The fight against the ‘Corn Laws’ (Debate pictured below)
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Polymath John Ruskin was the leading art critic of the Victorian Era, He was also a strong advocate for environmental and architectural preservation as well as raising concerns of the human cost of Industrialization. Way ahead of his time, he is a fascinating figure of the era. This episode looks into some of his work and also his private life.
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Two legends that have never been explained. Who was the Hammersmith Ghost and what is the story behind the decades long sightings of Spring Heeled Jack?
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Nothing got the attention of the public during the Victorian era like a juicy dramatic murder! And this episode I’m looking at one of the most famous outside of Jack the Ripper. William Corder and the Red Barn Murder.
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This episode I take a look at a lesser examined topic of the Victorian Era. Certainly we all admire the wonderful dresses ladies wore, but what of legendary dandies such as Beau Brummel and what men wore during the 19th Century?
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This episode I look at a brilliant woman, her life, her work and life. It’s time to talk about Mary Shelley and aside from writing Frankenstein her life was amazing!
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This episode looks at one of the icons of the London skyline. So we’re topping the tower and looking at good ol’ Big Ben!
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This episode I take a look at the founding staple of the Victorian diet. The humble loaf of bread…
Best Cobb Loaf:
7g sachet of yeast
2 tsp castor sugar
1 cup of warm water
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp olive oil
1 egg
sesame seeds
- Mix yeast, sugar and warm water in a jug. Whisk until dissolved. STand for 10 minutes or until frothy.
- Put flour in a bowl, stir in yeast mix and olive oil and salt. Mix to form a soft dough. Turn oput onto lightly floured surface. Knead for about 10-15 minutes. Put
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Following on from the insanity of last episode, this week I’m looking at some of the more physical medical practices you would undergo living in Victorian England
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This week I look at St Bethlem Hospital. Meant to be a shining light of aid to those with mental health issues its nickname became synonymous with anarchy, insanity and deprivation. Bedlam.
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Among the great names of 19th century history stands a man who came to define English Naval tradition: Horatio Nelson. One armed, one eyed and an interesting relationship with another mans wife… He strode tall on the world stage.
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The second episode of the Podcast gives an overview of the life of the monarch as we enter the 19th century. This week it’s all about King George the Third
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It’s finally here! The first official episode of a history podcast about the Victorian era, I hope you enjoy it!
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So this is just a quick introductory episode talking about what’s going to be happening in the podcast!
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