Taught older girls advanced academic subjects, languages, and social accomplishments.
For an educated middle-class woman who lacked a husband or an inheritance, employment options were strictly limited. Working in a factory, shop, or as a domestic servant meant losing her gentlewoman status. Becoming a governess was the only socially acceptable occupation that allowed her to earn a living while remaining a "lady." Types of Governesses what was a governess in victorian times
(1970, Victorian Studies ) – still the foundational article. Becoming a governess was the only socially acceptable
💰 Reality, Pay, and the Governesses' Benevolent Institution In the Victorian mind, the governess was often
Salaries varied wildly, ranging from £15 to £100 per year. For context, a highly skilled chef or butler often earned significantly more.
In the Victorian mind, the governess was often viewed as a threat. She was an educated, unmarried woman living in close quarters with the man of the house. This is where the trope of the "wicked governess" or the "husband-stealer" comes from. In reality, most governesses were simply trying to survive, but they were often treated with suspicion by the lady of the house and contempt by the other servants.