Our speaker on 3 March was the author Livi Michael, who told us about the background research undertaken for her novel, Elizabeth and Ruth, published by Salt (February 2026).

Manchester 1849. Elizabeth Gaskell, newly famous author of Mary Barton, visits a young Irish prostitute in Manchester’s New Bailey prison. The girl is about to be discharged onto the brutal streets of Manchester, where her old life of poverty and violence awaits. Elizabeth is determined to help her, but few people will employ an ex-prostitute from prison. In desperation, Elizabeth writes to Charles Dickens for advice.

Based on the real correspondence between Gaskell and Dickens, Elizabeth and Ruth tells a story of hypocrisy and suppression, and how Elizabeth navigates the censorship and prejudice of the day to help the young girl and to write the novel about her that will ultimately be banned and burned after publication.

Your ticket will give you access to an online recording of Livi’s talk, which will be available to watch at your convenience until 31 March 2026.