This is the history of the British Virgin Islands. See also the history of the U.S. Virgin Islands, history of present-day nations and states.

First settled by the Dutch in 1648, the British Virgin Islands were soon after (1672) annexed by the English. The economy is closely tied to the larger and more populous U.S. Virgin Islands to the west; the US dollar is the legal currency.

See also:

• List of Presidents of the British Virgin Islands (1741-1887)
• List of Administrators of the British Virgin Islands (1887-1971)
• List of Governors of the British Virgin Islands (1971-present)