Key Figures of the Victorian Era Who Inspired Steampunk

Welcome to the world of steampunk — an artistic and literary genre that fuses Victorian aesthetics with a fictional technology based on steam-powered machines. This fascinating genre draws inspiration from several famous individuals and works, some of which date back centuries. In this article, we'll explore the main influences on the steampunk genre and examine how they have contributed to shaping it into what we know today. We'll see how the works of many authors were responsible for creating a genre that is now widely appreciated by fans all over the world.

Notable Figure	What are they known for?
Charles Dickens	His Victorian narratives created an unforgettable atmosphere and cast of characters.
Jules Verne	His visionary inventions and anticipatory fiction have left a lasting mark on steampunk.
H.G. Wells	Known for his concepts of time travel and alien invasions, he is a cornerstone of steampunk.
Queen Victoria	Her reign saw an explosion of industrialisation and technological advances.
Nikola Tesla	His work in electricity and his futuristic inventions directly inspired the genre.
Thomas Edison	A prolific inventor whose many creations contributed to steampunk's aesthetic and ideas.
Arthur Conan Doyle	Creator of Sherlock Holmes, he inspired steampunk narratives of scientific investigation and mystery.
Georges Méliès	A cinema pioneer who used special effects to create fantastic steampunk worlds.
Mary Shelley	Her novel "Frankenstein" fused science and horror, foreshadowing gothic steampunk.
Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace	Precursors of modern computing, their work on calculating machines inspired steampunk machine concepts.
Lewis Carroll	Author of "Alice in Wonderland," he inspired imaginary and surrealist worlds.
Herbert Spencer	Philosopher and sociologist who influenced thinking on technological progress.
Michael Faraday	His discoveries in electromagnetism inspired advanced technology concepts.
Rudyard Kipling	Author of adventure and travel stories that influenced steampunk narratives.
George Stephenson	Railway engineer whose innovations are fundamental to steampunk aesthetics.
Florence Nightingale	Nursing reformer who inspired humanitarian steampunk narratives.
William Morris	Member of the Arts and Crafts movement, influencing steampunk's artisanal aesthetic.
Richard Francis Burton	Explorer and writer inspiring steampunk adventures and discoveries.
Isambard Kingdom Brunel	Civil engineer whose work is a source of inspiration for steampunk machines.

The Influences of the Victorian Era on Steampunk

The Victorian era was a major source of inspiration for steampunk. Writers such as Charles Dickens and H.G. Wells helped shape the genre with their works, creating unforgettable characters and imaginative worlds that still resonate today. Queen Victoria's reign also saw a revolution in technology and industry that laid the foundations of steampunk, which relies on steam engines and steam-powered machines for its settings and narratives. Writers such as Jules Verne and Oscar Wilde also contributed to the genre with their works, introducing new elements and ideas that are now considered integral to steampunk culture. All of these authors helped create a unique world that continues to captivate readers today. Their contributions have been an invaluable source of inspiration for steampunk fans. So let's explore the steampunk world and discover how it has evolved over time!

Queen Victoria and the Victorian Revolution

Queen Victoria: She is the origin of the "Victorian Revolution" that allowed the industrial age to develop throughout the world. Her reign was marked by a wave of technological advances, industrialisation, and societal changes that gave birth to a new era. Her leadership was essential in advancing science, technology, and engineering.

Her indirect contribution to the steampunk genre cannot be ignored, as she was the inspiration behind all the products and inventions that helped transform the world into what it is today. The British culture of the Victorian era is also the preferred universe of the steampunk style in general.

Finally, the Victorian era was an unparalleled period in literature, with authors such as Charles Dickens and Oscar Wilde creating works that still serve as a source of inspiration for steampunk fans. The Victorian revolution also saw the emergence of new forms of entertainment, notably cinema and photography, which were later incorporated into steampunk stories by filmmakers such as Georges Méliès.

How Did the Works of Charles Dickens Inspire the Steampunk Genre?

The works of Charles Dickens opened the door to a world filled with fantastic and colourful characters. His stories set in cities steeped in a typically Victorian atmosphere are a source of inspiration for many steampunk universes. The characters, objects, and inventions found in his books continue to this day to give ideas to fans of the genre.

A Christmas Carol and Great Expectations introduced a new form of storytelling that blended science fiction with a Victorian setting. His stories were often filled with fantastic inventions and machines, as well as outsized characters — making them an ideal source for contemporary writers. His works also shine a light on the social inequalities of the Victorian era, inspiring people to create stories that explore morality and justice in modern society. There may not necessarily be airships or automata, but his works have helped shape the steampunk atmosphere as we know it. So if you want to immerse yourself in a charming and deeply human Victorian world, start with Charles Dickens!

Jules Verne, the Father of Steampunk?

The works of Jules Verne frequently address fascinating subjects related to steampunk, such as fantastic voyages and a type of science fiction grounded in scientific anticipation. His novels explore with interesting nuance how technology can serve positive or negative ends. Many of his ideas have been taken up in more recent works, showing just how lasting his influence has been — with titles such as Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and Around the World in Eighty Days. The strange and visionary inventions of this author are a recurring theme in steampunk. Many writers and directors have drawn inspiration from Verne's adventures, making him indirectly one of the fathers of modern steampunk.

H.G. Wells, Science Fiction and Retrofuturism

H.G. Wells was a British writer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for his science fiction works such as "The Time Machine", "The War of the Worlds," and "The Island of Doctor Moreau." His stories introduced concepts such as time travel, alien invasions, and scientific experiments on animals, which influenced many other science fiction writers and have been adapted into films and TV series. Wells is also considered a founding father of steampunk, as his stories often featured steam-powered machines and futuristic mechanisms that inspired steampunk inventions such as airships, robots, and futuristic weapons. He has remained an iconic science fiction author and his stories continue to inspire generations to come.

Georges Méliès, Steampunk Cinema Before Its Time

The French filmmaker of the late 19th and early 20th centuries is known for his magical and wondrous films. He is considered one of the very first filmmakers in history and directed more than 500 films. He was one of the pioneers of cinematic magic, using tricks and special effects to create fantastical stories and illusions. His films often included themes such as time travel, fantastical worlds, and flying machines, which influenced many other filmmakers and have been adapted into films and TV series. He has remained an iconic filmmaker in cinema history and his films continue to inspire generations to come.

Nikola Tesla, the Cursed Genius

He was a Serbian inventor and genius of the Victorian era, known for his contributions to electricity and mechanics. He was one of the greatest scientific minds of his time and made numerous inventions that played an important role in the development of modern technology. He is best known for his work on induction motors, which were used to power industrial machines, transport systems, and domestic electrical systems. He also worked on concepts such as wireless electrical energy transmission, electromagnetic weapons, and free energy technologies, which influenced many inventors and scientists of his era. Nikola Tesla is a source of inspiration for science fiction and the steampunk genre, as his inventions often featured steam-powered machines and futuristic mechanisms that inspired inventions after his death. Discover the Tesla Watch — a tribute to this unjustly overlooked scientist.

Arthur Conan Doyle, the Creator of Sherlock Holmes

The famous detective created by Arthur Conan Doyle has been a model for many steampunk science fiction characters. His stories featuring scientific investigations and mysteries to solve inspired steampunk works such as "Sherlock Holmes: Adventures in the Realms of Steampunk." Other works inspired by Sherlock Holmes also deserve mention, such as "Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century," which presents a futuristic universe where the famous detective works alongside robots to solve criminal cases. In short, the stories of Arthur Conan Doyle have had a major influence on the steampunk genre, and characters like Sherlock Holmes have been a model for many steampunk science fiction characters.

Robert Louis Stevenson

This Scottish novelist of the Victorian era is known for his works of science fiction and fantastical adventure such as "Treasure Island" and "Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde." His stories introduced concepts such as fantastical voyages and pirates, mental illness, and scientific experiments on animals, which influenced many other science fiction writers and have been adapted into films and TV series. He is considered one of the pioneers of modern science fiction, and his imaginative writing style and the themes he explored have been a source of inspiration for steampunk authors and creators of fictional worlds. Steampunk universes have been greatly inspired by Stevenson's imaginative works, which introduced steam-powered machines and futuristic mechanisms that inspired steampunk inventions such as airships, robots, and futuristic weapons. He has remained an iconic novelist and his stories continue to inspire generations to come.

The Works of Oscar Wilde and Steampunk

Oscar Wilde is another major steampunk influence for his dandy style and freedom of expression — a true punk before his time. He was one of the first authors to bridge the gap between science fiction and fantasy in literature — as in "The Picture of Dorian Gray" — creating stories that blended these two genres in a unique and imaginative way. Beyond his revolutionary writings, Wilde also helped popularise the eccentric fashion and aesthetic now associated with the steampunk man. His works inspired authors such as Jules Verne, who created stories exploring morality, justice, and technology in a Victorian setting. If you want to take a journey into the world of steampunk, don't forget to read Oscar Wilde.

Mary Shelley, the Obvious Link Between Steampunk and Gothic

Mary Shelley is a key figure of the Victorian era who contributed to shaping the genre of science fiction and fantastical adventure with her novel "Frankenstein." Her novel inspired entire generations to imagine what science and technology might create. The modern Prometheus challenges us to consider the right to create new forms of life and the danger of playing God. Mechanical elements and the Industrial Revolution are omnipresent in this work, making it an excellent starting point for your steampunk exploration.

The blending of horror with technology forms a bridge between the two styles that appear close for the first time — gothic steampunk, in essence (though officially steampunk did not exist before 1987). Moreover, her deeply pessimistic vision of the moral and social implications of technology is profound and compelling, and well deserves closer examination.

Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace

Babbage was a British mathematician and inventor of the 19th century known as the "father of the computer." He designed two calculating machines known as the "analytical engine" and the "difference engine," which were considered precursors to modern computers. Babbage began working on his first machine in 1833, but despite years of work and considerable investment, he never succeeded in completing it fully. Nevertheless, his ideas and plans inspired many inventors of the Victorian era. He also developed important concepts in computer programming, data processing, and machine manufacturing methods. Babbage is considered one of the key precursors of modern computing and his work continues to influence research in this field to this day.

Ada Lovelace was a British mathematician and poet of the 19th century who became famous for her work on Charles Babbage's machines. She was the first to understand that Babbage's machines could be used for mathematical calculations beyond mere commercial arithmetic. She wrote notes published in 1843 in which she described concepts of data processing, programming, and calculation loops. We now know that the first computer programmer in history was a woman.

Bram Stoker

The author who popularised the genre of gothic novels with his masterpiece "Dracula." His contribution to literature is undeniable and his influence on steampunk is evident. He introduced themes such as occultism, witchcraft, and supernatural creatures, which became an integral part of the genre. The modern era in "Dracula" intertwines with the monsters and supernatural creatures of old. This inspired steampunk works in different styles:

• Those that feature characters using futuristic weapons and gadgets to battle supernatural forces.
• The dark and unsettling atmosphere of "Dracula" inspired works set in dystopian and oppressive universes.
• The complex and ambiguous characters of Bram Stoker, such as Count Dracula, inspired steampunk characters who navigate between good and evil.
• The travel and exploration narratives present in "Dracula" inspired steampunk works featuring characters journeying through strange and fantastical worlds.

In short, Bram Stoker is a giant of literature who greatly contributed to shaping the fantastic within the Victorian universe — and by extension, steampunk.

The Victorian era was rich in inspiring figures who influenced the steampunk genre. The mathematicians, inventors, writers, and artists of this period introduced concepts such as steam-powered machines, robots, airships, and mechanical weapons that inspired steampunk inventions. Pioneers such as H.G. Wells, Georges Méliès, Nikola Tesla, and Arthur Conan Doyle all contributed to shaping the imaginative world that feeds the Steampunk universe. Their contribution to science fiction and their influence on steampunk are undeniable and continue to inspire science fiction creators from all walks of life.