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.
A Visit to Hardy’s Wessex – part 3

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 […]
A Visit to Hardy’s Wessex – part 2

Ahead of her new season of Thomas Hardy study sessions, Dr Diane Duffy has paid a visit to Wessex.
A Visit to Hardy’s Wessex – part 1

Ahead of her new season of Thomas Hardy study sessions, Dr Diane Duffy has paid a visit to Wessex.
An Ideal Woman and the Marriage Question

Female behaviour and the choice of marriage partner are concerns for both Elizabeth Gaskell and George Eliot, writes Dr Diane Duffy.
Visits and Records – a list for further reading

Gaskell Society president Shirley Foster shares a reading list to accompany her 2024 Conference talk, ‘Visits and Records: nineteenth-century women travellers and their writings.
George Eliot’s Locations I – Chilvers Coton

As we open our conference in Hinckley this year, I ask the question : ‘What is the importance of location in the works of Elizabeth Gaskell and George Eliot?’ This […]
George Eliot’s Locations II – Astley, Griff House and Hollows

As we open our conference in Hinckley this year, I ask the question : ‘What is the importance of location in the works of Elizabeth Gaskell and George Eliot?’ For […]
New booklet out now

Anthony Burton has written a new booklet that outlines just why Elizabeth Gaskell is the most versatile of storytellers. And it’s free to read!