World Events in 1901
Death of Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria died on 22 January at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, aged 81. Her son became King Edward VII, ushering in the Edwardian era characterised by a more relaxed and cosmopolitan court.
Assassination of President McKinley
William McKinley was shot by anarchist Leon Czolgosz at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York on 6 September. He died eight days later and Theodore Roosevelt, aged 42, became the youngest president in American history.
Federation of Australia
On 1 January, the six Australian colonies federated to form the Commonwealth of Australia. Edmund Barton became the first Prime Minister of the new nation.
First Nobel Prizes awarded
The first Nobel Prizes were awarded in Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, and Peace. Wilhelm Röntgen won the Physics prize for discovering X-rays, and Henry Dunant shared the Peace Prize for founding the Red Cross.
Boer War concentration camps
Emily Hobhouse exposed the appalling conditions in British concentration camps where Boer women and children were interned. Her reports caused a scandal in Britain and led to reforms, though thousands had already died of disease and starvation.
Music in 1901
"Goodbye, Dolly Gray"
Various music hall performers
A hugely popular Boer War song that became the anthem of soldiers departing for South Africa. Sheet music sales were the primary measure of a song's popularity.
"Mighty Lak' a Rose"
Ethelbert Nevin (composed)
A sentimental parlour song that was one of the best-selling pieces of sheet music in 1901. Formal record charts did not exist.
#1 Film of 1901
Fire!
Box Office: N/A
Directed by James Williamson, this British film was a pioneering narrative film depicting a fire rescue. At around 5 minutes, it was considered feature-length for its time. Box office data was not recorded.
Born in 1901
Walt Disney
Founder of the Disney entertainment empire and creator of Mickey Mouse
Louis Armstrong
Revolutionary jazz trumpeter and vocalist
Marlene Dietrich
German-American actress and singer, icon of Golden Age Hollywood
Clark Gable
Hollywood leading man, star of Gone with the Wind
Hirohito
Emperor of Japan during World War II
Lost in 1901
Queen Victoria
Queen of the United Kingdom for 63 years, longest-reigning British monarch at the time
Age 81
William McKinley
25th President of the United States, assassinated in office
Age 58
Benjamin Harrison
23rd President of the United States
Age 67
Giuseppe Verdi
Italian opera composer of Aida, La Traviata, and Rigoletto
Age 87
Technology in 1901
Marconi sent the first transatlantic radio signal. Electric trams were spreading through British and American cities. The first vacuum cleaner was patented. Automobiles remained a novelty but car races were generating public excitement.
- ● Marconi transmits first transatlantic radio signal from Cornwall to Newfoundland
- ● Hubert Cecil Booth patents the electric vacuum cleaner
- ● First Mercedes automobile produced
- ● King Camp Gillette patents the safety razor
Cost of Living in 1901
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £155 | $2,850 |
| Average salary | £56 | $460 |
| Pint of milk | 1½d | 3¢ |
| Loaf of bread | 2½d | 5¢ |
| Dozen eggs | 8d | 14¢ |
Shop 1901 memorabilia on eBay/Amazon
The Zeitgeist of 1901
Britain was plunged into mourning as Queen Victoria died after 63 years on the throne, and the Edwardian era began with a more relaxed social atmosphere. In America, Theodore Roosevelt's sudden ascent to the presidency after McKinley's assassination brought youthful energy to the White House. Ragtime was gaining momentum in American cities, and the first Nobel Prizes were awarded in Stockholm.
In the News in 1901
The assassination of President McKinley by anarchist Leon Czolgosz shocked America. The Boer War continued to generate controversy with Britain's use of concentration camps for Boer civilians. Australia federated into a single nation on January 1st. J.P. Morgan was consolidating American industry at a breathtaking pace.