Evolution of Queen Anne Architecture in America Queen Anne architecture cannot be easily defined. Its architectural style has many different characteristics. In this article I will show how the Queen Anne style evolved from common architecture during the reign of Queen Anne herself and I will also show how it evolved in America in the late 1800s during the Industrial Revolution. I will then show how the Queen Anne style is incorporated into today's architectural design. First, a little background on Queen Anne. Anne was born on 6 February 1665 to the parents of James, Duke of York and Lady Anne Hyde. She was born at St. James Palace in London. Anne's father later reigned as James II, but was subsequently dethroned by Anne's sister and brother-in-law, Mary and William. Both Mary and William ruled together until their deaths and as they had no children, Anna succeeded them to the throne. Anne's legacy was one of an increase in the influence of ministers and a decrease in the authority of the Crown. Anna's reign was also a period of artistic and literary progress. Some characteristics of the later Queen Anne style were evident in some architecture of its time. A famous architect of the time was Sir John Vanbrugh who designed elegant buildings such as Blenheim Palace, home of the Marlboroughs. He also designed Castle Howard. Some of the elaborate nature of these designs is common in Queen Anne architecture today. Queen Anne died on 1 August 1714 and was buried in Westminster Abbey. Queen Anne's architecture can be described as elaborate and flamboyant. This architecture is sumptuous with steep and irregularly shaped roofs. The Queen Anne style is asymmetrical. Ironically, this style resembles more that of the Victorian age... the age of Queen Victoria... than the architectural style during the time of Queen Anne. Even more ironic is the fact that Queen Anne architecture took root and thrived during the machine age. . It's ironic that such a lavish style could exist in a time when factories were becoming a large part of America. In the late 1800s America had been predominantly an agricultural country. Our nation consisted primarily of farms and plantations. This began to change in the late 1800s. The late 1800s saw the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Railroads were crossing our country and steel was needed to make them work. The steel industry became in high demand.