Gaskell Society News

"In short, I am ... open to any amount of literary gossip."

– Letter (412) to George Smith, February 1859 –

The Casterbridge Hiring Fair

Dr Diane Duffy’s has visited Dorchester, Dorset (aka Casterbridge, Wessex) to explore the life, work and inspiration of Thomas Hardy. Far From the Madding Crowd is the subject of our

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Bathsheba Everdene

Dr Diane Duffy has paid a visit to Wessex to explore the life, work and inspiration of Thomas Hardy. Far From the Madding Crowd is the subject of our 2025-26

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Dressing for England

Our November 2025 lecture is given by Amy L. Montz, whose new book, Dressing for England explores fashion and nationalism in a number of Victorian novels, including Cranford. 

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