In middle-class African American communities, many women were expected to follow the fashion ideals of white society while still maintaining the cultural traditions of Black society. Meanwhile, in England, a few Black women were permitted to enjoy the upper echelons of society — with one even becoming the goddaughter of Queen Victoria herself.
But while these lifestyle seemed quite honorable at the time, they often came with strings attached. And sadly, only a few details are known today about many of these women and their remarkable lives. Take a look at these 30 beautiful, rarely-seen portraits of Black Victorian women below:
Black Women From the Victorian Era by The Royal Collection IT Service