The Gaskell Society and its partners host a year-round programme of meetings and special events, most of which are open to everyone. We’re very friendly – and we’d love to meet you, whether or not you choose to join the Society.
Events Search and Views Navigation
June 2019
Introduction to Elizabeth Gaskell’s Novels: Mary Barton
If you’ve always wanted to read an Elizabeth Gaskell novel, but haven’t quite got round to it, or feel a bit intimidated, then this is for you. Mary Barton was Elizabeth Gaskell’s first novel and is the best starting point for a new reader. It’s both a love story and an expose of Manchester life in the 1840s, by someone who knew all about it. In this session, you’ll find out why Elizabeth Gaskell chose to write the novel, what…
Find out more »July 2019
‘Household Commotion’: Elizabeth Gaskell and the ‘awful treasure’ of her servants, 1832-1865.
A new, interactive exhibition exploring in detail some of the individual servants that worked for the Gaskell family including Hearn, Elizabeth’s faithful housekeeper, and Will Preston, the outdoor servant from Cumbria, whose letter was found during the renovation work. A Letter to William In July 2016, while working on the Coach House at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, workmen discovered a letter wedged between the brickwork and roof trusses in what is now the Nightingale room. Although the pages were badly scorched,…
Find out more »Summer Evening Talk: Mary Barton’s Manchester
Join us for a summer evening talk on the 1840s Manchester of Elizabeth Gaskell’s first novel, Mary Barton. Dr Diane Duffy will lead you on a literary journey of discovery of the places, buildings and landmarks of the city as featured in the book, with extracts from the text to map the way. This fascinating talk will interest anyone who wants to find out more about historical Manchester in Elizabeth Gaskell’s writing and is a perfect companion to Sherry Ashworth’s introductory…
Find out more »“My Dear Mr Ruskin…” Friendship, Inspiration and Scandal
From July 2019 Elizabeth Gaskell’s House will be exploring the friendship between the Gaskell family and John Ruskin in a new year-long exhibition as part of The Ruskin Bicentenary. Often at odds with their contemporaries, John Ruskin and Elizabeth Gaskell were controversial writers, often sharing the same ideals. Elizabeth openly took sides when Ruskin’s wife, Effie, left him, commenting in a letter that “…She really is very close to a charming character; if she had had the small pox she…
Find out more »Victorian Book Group – Brideshead Revisited
June's meeting is all about Evelyn Waugh's classic novel. Now in its 4th year, the Victorian book group continues its focus on reading (and rereading) classic works of fiction. Our scope spans the long nineteenth century and often includes neo-Victorian novels. We are especially interested in writings by and about women, and always feature one work by Elizabeth Gaskell. In 2019, we will explore the genre of the family saga and continue our investigation of how the British novel developed…
Find out more »The Gaskell Society Conference 2019
Elizabeth Gaskell: Working-Class Politics and Culture at The Tankersley Manor Hotel which is situated between Sheffield and Barnsley. Set in modest grounds, with full leisure facilities, including a pool, it offers ample parking and easy access to the M1 motorway. As is usual, our Friday evening speakers will talk about the industrial and literary aspects of the area. On Saturday and Sunday mornings, we have five speakers- Professor Francis O’Gorman: John Ruskin and the Working-Class Professor Robert Poole: Elizabeth Gaskell…
Find out more »August 2019
Dialect in Elizabeth Gaskell’s Work
Don’t be frabbit – join us for a talk on Elizabeth Gaskell’s use of local dialect in her work. Unless you’re too nesh, that is! Find out more, as academic researcher Georgia Thurston discusses the rich Lancashire dialect that helps to bring Gaskell’s characters, and the Manchester of Victorian times, to life. And take a look in William Gaskell’s study while you’re here – he was so knowledgeable about dialect that he even gave lectures on it, and you’ll find…
Find out more »September 2019
Victorian Book Group – Buddenbrooks: The Decline of a Family
June's meeting is all about Thomas Mann's classic novel. Now in its 4th year, the Victorian book group continues its focus on reading (and rereading) classic works of fiction. Our scope spans the long nineteenth century and often includes neo-Victorian novels. We are especially interested in writings by and about women, and always feature one work by Elizabeth Gaskell. In 2019, we will explore the genre of the family saga and continue our investigation of how the British novel developed…
Find out more »Elizabeth Gaskell’s Birthday Talk: Elizabeth Gaskell and Gossip
We’re celebrating Elizabeth Gaskell’s birthday with a glass of wine and a good gossip! The Gaskell Society’s Elizabeth Williams will discuss Elizabeth Gaskell’s sharp eye and sharper tongue in this fascinating talk on Gaskell and gossip. Is gossip just malicious tittle-tattle, or could it be a compelling kind of story-telling? Find out more, as we delve into Elizabeth Gaskell’s writings to decide just what her gossip entails! Please join us for a complimentary glass of wine prior to the talk…
Find out more »October 2019
Victorian Book Group – The Age of Innocence
June's meeting is all about Thomas Mann's classic novel. Now in its 4th year, the Victorian book group continues its focus on reading (and rereading) classic works of fiction. Our scope spans the long nineteenth century and often includes neo-Victorian novels. We are especially interested in writings by and about women, and always feature one work by Elizabeth Gaskell. In 2019, we will explore the genre of the family saga and continue our investigation of how the British novel developed…
Find out more »November 2019
Victorian Book Group – Fathers and Sons
June's meeting is all about Ivan Turgenev's classic novel. Now in its 4th year, the Victorian book group continues its focus on reading (and rereading) classic works of fiction. Our scope spans the long nineteenth century and often includes neo-Victorian novels. We are especially interested in writings by and about women, and always feature one work by Elizabeth Gaskell. In 2019, we will explore the genre of the family saga and continue our investigation of how the British novel developed…
Find out more »