Queen Victoria ruled the British Empire for over 60 years, and during that time, ruled a quarter of the world’s population, gave birth to nine children and survived eight assassination attempts. In Victoria: The Queen: An Intimate Biography of the Woman Who Ruled an Empire, Julia Baird offers an intimate look Victoria’s personal life and reveals that she was much more involved with ruling her empire than previously thought.  Event: Julia Baird will be at the 92nd Street Y (1395 Lexington Avenue at 92nd St.) on Thursday, December 1 from 12 to 1:30 p.m.