Why She Wrote
Zoom online only, United KingdomDive into the fascinating, unexpected, and inspiring stories behind the greatest women writers in the English language as the amazing Bonnets at Dawn launch their new book. The engaging duo talk about their Elizabeth Gaskell chapter and consider her work, along with that of other women writers, including Jane Austen, Louisa May Alcott, Alice Dunbar […]
A Visit to Tabley Old Hall
Zoom online only, United KingdomJoin The Friends of Elizabeth Gaskell's House for a journey back in time to around 1910, just sixty years after the Gaskells moved into Plymouth Grove. Tabley is not far from Knutsford and we know, from her letters, that Elizabeth spent many happy hours of her childhood there, with her cousins and friends. Using old […]
Sons and Mothers: Lawrence, Larkin and the Maternal Muse
Zoom online only, United KingdomThis compelling talk explores the work of two of the finest English writers of the 20th century; DH Lawrence and Philip Larkin. Join Philip Watts for a fascinating look at how each writer’s relationship with his mother influenced their work. Find out how D H Lawrence, regarded as the ‘greatest imaginative novelist of our generation’, […]
Online Tour of Elizabeth Gaskell’s House – June 2021
Zoom online only, United KingdomUsing 360-degree photography, the House's expert guides will bring Manchester’s literary heritage to life via an online tour of 84 Plymouth Grove. From the Morning Room and Study, to the Drawing and Dining Rooms, you’ll learn about Elizabeth’s family life; how William, her husband, supported her and how her life in Manchester influenced the books […]
Between the Covers – Literary Liaisons
Zoom online only, United KingdomElizabeth Gaskell's House is delighted to announce a new short film by the comedy duo, LipService Theatre. Filmed at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, especially for your viewing pleasure, ‘Britain’s favourite literary lunatics’ bring you Mrs Gaskell, Charlotte Brontë, Charles Dickens, John Ruskin and a host of Victorian glitterati. The film will be followed by Mrs Gaskell’s […]
Houses and Homes in Literature: From Shakespeare to the Present Day
Zoom online only, United KingdomThis entertaining online talk with readings begins with the Gaskells’ acquisition of their house in Plymouth Grove and its reflection in North and South. Writer and guide Philip Watts explores the significance of writers’ domestic places and spaces by stitching together a patchwork quilt of literary extracts from Shakespeare to the present day.
Online talk – Brontë’s Mistress: the story must be told
Zoom online only, United KingdomAuthor Finola Austin brings her meticulously researched and deliciously told novel, Brontë’s Mistress, with its captivating reimagining of the affair between Branwell Brontë (brother of the famous Brontë sisters) and Lydia Robinson, his employer’s wife. Elizabeth Gaskell wrote of the scandalous affair in her groundbreaking biography, The Life of Charlotte Brontë, and it has divided Brontë enthusiasts for generations. […]
The Life of Charlotte Brontë – an introduction
Zoom online only, United KingdomWe're thrilled that Elizabeth Gaskell's House has joined forces with the Brontë Parsonage Museum to deliver a series of three events that explore the relationship between the the two friends. Gaskell's biography, The Life of Charlotte Brontë, told the story of a ‘wild, sad life and the beautiful character that grew out of it’ but was […]
Social Lunch in Didsbury
The Didsbury Pub 852 Wilmslow Road, Manchester, United KingdomInformal lunch/meet up at The Didsbury Pub in East Didsbury, 852 Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, Manchester M20 2SG close to Fletcher Moss and The Parsonage Gardens. It has been a very long time since we have been able to meet in person and it would be lovely to see any members who could come along. We […]
Romance and Reality: Elizabeth Gaskell’s Debt to Sir Walter Scott
Zoom online only, United KingdomAn online talk by the Gaskell Society's Dr Diane Duffy. It is hard to imagine the hard-hitting industrial novels written by Elizabeth Gaskell having much in common with the romances of the Middle Ages and early modern England popularised by Walter Scott in the early 19th century. Yet Scott began the transformation of fiction by […]
Online Tour of Elizabeth Gaskell’s House – August 2021
Zoom online only, United KingdomUsing 360-degree photography, the House's expert guides will bring Manchester’s literary heritage to life via an online tour of 84 Plymouth Grove. From the Morning Room and Study, to the Drawing and Dining Rooms, you’ll learn about Elizabeth’s family life; how William, her husband, supported her and how her life in Manchester influenced the books […]
Charlotte Brontë and Elizabeth Gaskell – a Friendship
Zoom online only, United KingdomWe're thrilled that Elizabeth Gaskell's House has joined forces with the Brontë Parsonage Museum to deliver a series of three events that explore the relationship between the the two friends. This introductory talk by the Chair of the Gaskell Society, the brilliant Libby Tempest, explores the relationship between these two giants of 19th century literature. Charlotte […]
‘This Unlucky Book’ – an online discussion
Zoom online only, United KingdomWe're thrilled that Elizabeth Gaskell's House has joined forces with the Brontë Parsonage Museum to deliver a series of three events that explore the relationship between the the two friends. Fact, Fiction and Mythmaking in Elizabeth Gaskell’s The Life of Charlotte Brontë - a panel discussion with Libby Tempest, Dr Lucy Hanks and Ann Dinsdale […]
Online Talk – Victorian Children’s Literature: an introduction
Zoom online only, United KingdomVictorian’s Children’s literature gave us many of the classics we all know and love from A Secret Garden to Alice in Wonderland. But what themes from Elizabeth Gaskell’s writing are also present in the children’s literature of the age? And as a mother to four daughters, what types of books might Elizabeth have read to […]
The Gaskell Memorial Service 2021
Brook Street Chapel Adam's Hill,, Knutsford, United KingdomEvery year, on a Sunday close to what would have been Elizabeth Gaskell's birthday, we lay flowers on her grave 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. You are most […]
Online Talk – Elizabeth Gaskell Goes Shopping
onlineAn illustrated Zoom talk by Anthony Burton Elizabeth Gaskell’s letters, which reveal so much of her life, tell us something of the shops she patronised in Manchester: this talk recalls them from obscurity. Hear about the interesting selection of bookshops, food shops and clothing shops that Elizabeth visited and how Manchester grew into the shopping […]
Autumn Meeting 2021
Knutsford Methodist Church Princess Street, Knutsford, United KingdomThe Joan Leach Memorial Lecture Stubborn Facts from the Factories: James Leach & the Industrial Background to Mrs Gaskell's Fiction. We're delighted to welcome Dr Mike Sanders, who'll deliver the Joan Leach Memorial Lecture at our Autumn meeting - our first 'live' meeting since since March 2020! We can't wait to see you all again! We'll also […]