During her 63-year reign Queen Victoria met everyone from Charlotte Brontë to Buffalo Bill; she had opinions on all those who graced her parlor—and some who didn't. This book examines the meetings and letters exchanged between the queen and a veritable who's who of her time. It draws on often brutal character assessments in her journals and letters—Henry "Dr. Livingstone I presume" Stanley was "a determined ugly little Man." Exploring those she met officially and personally, and her thoughts on figures of the time such as Jack the Ripper, this book unlocks a fascinating aspect of Victoria's outlook through brand-new archival research, newspapers and interviews with descendants.