of all the weary, killing wearing out bustles in this life that of the last week passed all belief’. Elizabeth Gaskell to her friend Eliza Fox, 1852 Elizabeth Gaskell was a modern woman in many ways. She managed a hugely successful writing career, was a hands-on mother to four girls and supported her husband’s work. […]
« All Events Autumn Meeting 2025 – Isabella Banks’s Tales of Two Cities 20 September , 10:30 am - 1:00 pm This year's Joan Leach Memorial Lecture will be given […]
Every year, on a Sunday close to what would have been Elizabeth Gaskell's birthday, we lay flowers on Elizabeth Gaskell's grave (10.45am) at Brook Street Chapel in Knutsford. We also lay flowers on the nearby grave of the Gaskell Society's founder, the much-missed Joan Leach. We then go into the chapel for a special service, […]
Join Curator Elinor Camille-Wood as she takes you on fabulous fashion journey. You can find out more about the novel and tv adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell’s classic North and South. Take a peek at what characters like Margaret Hale would have worn in the 1850s, from large skirts to beautiful bonnets in an age of clothing […]
« All Events Samuel Bamford and the Gaskells 7 October , 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm £5 – £6 We're delighted to welcome Robert Poole to our October meeting. He'll […]
« All Events Thomas Hardy and Elizabeth Gaskell – Far From the Madding Crowd 28 October , 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm £5 – £6 Dr Diane Duffy continues her popular study session series looking at Elizabeth Gaskell's literary legacy. This season, she turns her attention to this classic work by Thomas Hardy. As Diane […]
« All Events The Rural Idyll and the Changing World: Challenging Conventionality in the Novels of Elizabeth Gaskell and Thomas Hardy 4 November , 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm £5 […]
A talk by Dr Julia Allen These two women were regarded as being outstanding authors during the times in which they lived. Mary Sidney Herbert (1561-1621) is mainly associated with her accomplished poetic translations of the Psalms. Amongst her other publications is a play based on the Antony and Cleopatra story, before Shakespeare wrote his […]
« All Events Thomas Hardy and Elizabeth Gaskell – Far From the Madding Crowd 25 November , 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm £5 – £6 Dr Diane Duffy continues her popular study session series looking at Elizabeth Gaskell's literary legacy. This season, she turns her attention to this classic work by Thomas Hardy. As Diane […]
Anthony Burton, one of our most popular speakers, returns for his annual festive lecture - now a traditional part of every Gaskell Society Christmas celebration. Elizabeth Gaskell liked to spend […]
« All Events Thomas Hardy and Elizabeth Gaskell – Far From the Madding Crowd 27 January , 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm £5 – £6 Dr Diane Duffy continues her popular study session series looking at Elizabeth Gaskell's literary legacy. This season, she turns her attention to this classic work by Thomas Hardy. As Diane […]
The term grand tour conjures up English aristocrats sent to the Continent to complete their cultural education. Less well known is the reverse grand tour. In the first half of […]
« All Events Thomas Hardy and Elizabeth Gaskell – Far From the Madding Crowd 24 February , 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm £5 – £6 Dr Diane Duffy continues her popular study session series looking at Elizabeth Gaskell's literary legacy. This season, she turns her attention to this classic work by Thomas Hardy. As Diane […]
« All Events Manchester Meeting – ‘Elizabeth and Ruth’ with Livi Michael 3 March , 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm £5 – £6 We're thrilled that our speaker for March […]
« All Events Thomas Hardy and Elizabeth Gaskell – Far From the Madding Crowd 31 March , 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm £5 – £6 Dr Diane Duffy continues her popular study session series looking at Elizabeth Gaskell's literary legacy. This season, she turns her attention to this classic work by Thomas Hardy. As Diane […]
« All Events Thomas Hardy and Elizabeth Gaskell – Far From the Madding Crowd 28 April , 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm £5 – £6 Dr Diane Duffy continues her popular study session series looking at Elizabeth Gaskell's literary legacy. This season, she turns her attention to this classic work by Thomas Hardy. As Diane […]
Our 2026 conference takes place in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, England. Our theme is literary links. We've issued a call for papers and look forward to announcing the full programme when it's ready. We hope to see you in Ilkley!