A Five Volume Biography of Her Beloved Prince Albert, Four of Which Are Inscribed By Queen Victoria

John Tulloch was the most prominent churchman in Scotland during the mid-Victorian period. He was Clerk of the General Assembly, a professor at St. Andrew’s, and a noted philosopher and author. His friend Matthew Arnold often called upon him for advice.   

Prince Albert, beloved husband of Queen Victoria, died at 10:50 p.m. on December 14, 1861 in the Blue Room at Windsor Castle, in the presence of the Queen and five of their nine children. The Queen’s grief was overwhelming, and she was inconsolable. Victoria wore black in mourning for the rest of her long life, and Albert’s rooms in all their houses were kept as they had been, even with hot water brought in the morning, and linen and towels changed daily. Moreover, Victoria withdrew from public life. Albert is credited with introducing the principle that the British Royal Family should remain above politics and with helping avert a war with the United States over the Trent Affair.   

Starting in 1875, and lasting over a period of five years, Smith, Elder &?Co.of London published a five volume biography of the Prince by Theodore Martin entitled "The Life of His Royal Highness the Prince Consort." As each book came out, on a visit to the royal residence in Balmoral, Scotland, Queen Victoria sent a precious volume of the prized biography to Tulloch. This is the entire five volume set, four volumes of which she inscribed:?Volume one is “To Professor Tulloch from Victoria R, Balmoral, June 6, 1875.” Volume two is “To Principal Tulloch from Victoria RI, Balmoral, June 10, 1877.” Volume three is “To Professor Tulloch of St. Andrew, from Victoria RI, Balmoral, June 9, 1878.” Volume four is “To Professor Tulloch from VRI, Balmoral, September 26, 1879.” The fifth volume, from 1880, though present, is unsigned. The R following Victoria’s name stands for Regina (Queen).  She took the title "Empress of India" on May 1, 1876, and this was proclaimed at Delhi in 1877. Thereafter she usually signed RI, for Regina Imperatrix (Queen and Empress). One can see this progression in these volumes.