Celebrating the life and work of Elizabeth Gaskell
‘And We’ve Got a House. Yes! We really have.’ So writes Elizabeth in April 1850 about 42, Plymouth Grove, the house that was to become the Gaskells’ family home for the next sixty-three years. Over the years, visitors to Elizabeth … Continued
We’re thrilled to learn that Elizabeth Gaskell is inspiring a new generation of readers and writers! Now in their sixth year, the prestigious Portico Sadie Massey Awards, organised by The Portico Library in Manchester, continue to nurture young, writing talent … Continued
In February 2021, we enjoyed a real transatlantic treat! Historical novelist Finola Austin talked to us (from her home in New York) about Brontë’s Mistress. The novel tells the story of the scandalous affair between Branwell Brontë and Lydia Robinson, mistress … Continued
We had a very jolly, festive get-together on December 1st, as the Society’s Anthony Burton took us on a walk through Victorian Manchester. We recorded his talk and you can join us on catch-up here. The Gaskells must have often … Continued
With Christmas only weeks away, Dr Diane Duffy looks at how Elizabeth Gaskell prepared for and celebrated Christmas through the years. Despite the fact that Unitarians did not recognise the divinity of Christ, Christmas as a time of peace, love … Continued
That Elizabeth Gaskell knew her Bible hardly needs stating, but what use did she make of it in her fiction? In particular, what use did she make of The Book of Esther? Sherry’s fascinating and highly engaging talk covers how The … Continued
Diane Duffy continues her investigation into the lives and families of William Gaskell’s parents. See also Margaret Gaskell and Wiliam Gaskell Senior. The marriage between William and Margaret took place in 1803, two years before the birth of their first child, … Continued
The Rev Dr Ann Peart gave this talk to the Gaskell Society on 6 October 2020. It is now almost exactly 25 years since I came back to live and Manchester after a gap of over 30 years, and exchanged … Continued
Diane Duffy continues her investigation into the lives and families of William Gaskell’s parents. See also Margaret Gaskell. The Gaskell family had originated in Upholland where the records go back to the beginning of the seventeenth century. Cairo Street Unitarian Chapel … Continued
We held our Annual General Meeting (over Zoom) in late September 2020 and heard a number of reports about the Society’s activities in 2019. We thought it might be nice to share some of the report by Pam Griffiths, our … Continued