As anyone who has attended Gaskell Society conferences, or joined any of the Gaskell House’s online events, will know, Anthony has a vast and wide-ranging amount of knowledge about Elizabeth Gaskell, her life, times and contemporaries. He will use Gaskell, Dickens, Austen and the Brontës to look at how writers have been promoted (or promoted themselves) during their lifetimes and beyond. As well as the texts themselves, film and TV adaptations, literary societies, and places associated with the authors all form part of their “brand”. Can we devise a Gaskell ‘brand’ which could compete in the literary heritage industry with those of Austen, the Brontës and Dickens?

The meeting will take place at Francis Holland School, 39 Graham Terrace, London SW1W 8JF. Doors open at 12.45 – do bring a packed lunch to eat before the talk starts at 2.00 pm. Tea and coffee will be available afterwards and contributions of cake, etc, to go with these are very welcome!

All are welcome, both members and non-members. We ask for a £5 donation to cover our expenses.