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Queen Victoria: The Target of 8 Assassination Attempts
Eight Unconnected Assassins Tried to End Queen Victoria's Reign
Queen Victoria's 63-year reign on the British throne would have been considerably shorter had any of eight assassination attempts succeeded. Queen Victoria, who reigned from May 24, 1819, to January 22, 1901, faced danger at every turn, with eight attempts on her life over the years.
Oxford's Attempt
The first of these attempts came in 1840, when Edward Oxford, an 18-year-old English man, attempted to assassinate Queen Victoria as she rode in her carriage. Oxford, who was later found to be mentally ill, was armed with two pistols loaded with paper and tobacco. Oxford was apprehended on the spot and eventually sent to an asylum, where he died in 1900.
Other Notable Attempts
Oxford's attempt was followed by several others, including:
- John Francis, who fired a pistol at Victoria in 1842
- William Hamilton, who attacked Victoria with a knife in 1849
- Roderick Maclean, who fired a pistol at Victoria in 1882
Despite these attempts, Queen Victoria's reign was largely peaceful and prosperous. She became a beloved figure and is still remembered today as one of the most influential British monarchs.
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