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 […]
Manchester Meeting – Elizabeth Gaskell, Farmer?
Cross Street Chapel Cross Street,, Manchester, United KingdomWe're delighted to welcome guest speaker Jackie Tucker to our first Cross Street Chapel Manchester meeting in oooh... absolutely ages! We hope you'll be able to join us. In 1851 Elizabeth Gaskell wrote to Eliza Fox that she had ‘turned farmer’- a rather surprising remark for a novelist known for her writing on industrial life […]
Online Talk – Beyond Uncle Tom’s Cabin; Harriet Beecher Stowe, Frances E.W. Harper and Harriet Jacobs
Zoom online only, United KingdomJoin the team at Elizabeth Gaskell's House to celebrate Black History Month with the incredible duo that is Bonnets at Dawn. They’ll be stepping across the Pond to talk about American Abolitionist writer Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and her relationship with African-American authors Frances E.W. Harper and Harriet Jacobs. After the success […]
Knutsford Meeting – Ruth I
Brook Street Chapel Adam's Hill,, Knutsford, United KingdomOur monthly meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month, between October and April (except December). Bring your own packed lunch from 1pm and then enjoy a friendly and informal talk and discussion, led by Dr Diane Duffy, 2-3pm. Our October, November, January and February sessions will be an exploration of Elizabeth Gaskell's […]
Lois the Witch and Other Tales
Zoom online only, United KingdomJoin the team at Elizabeth Gaskell's House online for a spine-tingling talk, perfect for Halloween! Elizabeth Gaskell definitely had a dark side and wrote a number of gothic and ghostly stories. 'Lois the Witch' is set against the backdrop of the Salem witch trials. Explore these terrifying tales in our spellbinding Halloween talk by Dr Diane […]
Manchester Meeting – The Adopted Child in 19th Century Literature
Cross Street Chapel Cross Street,, Manchester, United KingdomThis talk explores representations of adopted children in fiction by Jane Austen, Emily Brontë, Charlotte Brontë, Charles Dickens and George Eliot. Our guest speaker, Dr Karen Laird, is an adoptive mother and the author of The Art Of Adapting Victorian Literature, 1848-1920 (Routledge, 2019) Doors open at 1pm - tea/coffee available to purchase, and you are […]
Anne Brontë 200
Cross Street Chapel Cross Street,, Manchester, United Kingdom"A Fine and Subtle Spirit" - a bicentenary celebration in words and music A bicentenary celebration for Anne Brontë at Cross Street Chapel, Manchester. Postponed from 2020 due to the pandemic, this unique concert event features choral settings of Anne’s words, written specially for the occasion, as well as new poetry inspired by Anne’s life and example. Lucy […]
A Vindication of the Rights of Woman – Mary Wollstonecraft’s Influence on the Writings of Elizabeth Gaskell
Zoom online only, United KingdomBack by popular demand! This sell-out talk by Dr Diane Duffy explores the life and work of Mary Wollstonecraft, a pioneer of feminist thought in the UK, and her influence on Elizabeth Gaskell’s writing. Wollstonecraft is firmly back in public consciousness, due to the head-turning new statue in her honour, by artist Maggi Hambling. Join […]
Knutsford Meeting – Ruth II
Brook Street Chapel Adam's Hill,, Knutsford, United KingdomOur monthly meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month, between October and April (except December). Bring your own packed lunch from 1pm and then enjoy a friendly and informal talk and discussion, led by Dr Diane Duffy, 2-3pm. Our October, November, January and February sessions are an exploration of Elizabeth Gaskell's novel, […]
Victorian Women in Bed
Elizabeth Gaskell's House 84 Plymouth Grove,, Manchester, United KingdomA series of plays by Janet Goddard performed in person at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House. ‘What is a bed for but to die in?’ asks angry, dead Emily Brontë. We snuggle down to participate in bed adventures with six bold women who decimate convention to be themselves. We question Emily’s analysis and love our bedbound women […]
Victorian Women in Bed – New show added
Elizabeth Gaskell's House 84 Plymouth Grove,, Manchester, United KingdomDue to popular demand, a third show has been added to the run A series of plays by Janet Goddard performed in person at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House. ‘What is a bed for but to die in?’ asks angry, dead Emily Brontë. We snuggle down to participate in bed adventures with six bold women who decimate convention […]
Victorian Women in Bed
Elizabeth Gaskell's House 84 Plymouth Grove,, Manchester, United KingdomA series of plays by Janet Goddard performed in person at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House. ‘What is a bed for but to die in?’ asks angry, dead Emily Brontë. We snuggle down to participate in bed adventures with six bold women who decimate convention to be themselves. We question Emily’s analysis and love our bedbound women […]
A Christmas Potpourri
onlineThe Friends of Elizabeth Gaskell's House have asked several enthusiasts to give short illustrated talks about their favourite objects in the House. So please sit back, with some suitably festive refreshments to hand, and enjoy. Tickets are £5.50, for more information and to book follow the link below.
Manchester Meeting – Elizabeth Gaskell’s Visits to Capesthorne Hall
Cross Street Chapel Cross Street,, Manchester, United KingdomIn the late 1840s and early 1850s Elizabeth Gaskell paid a number of visits to her friend Caroline Davenport at Capesthorne Hall, near Congleton, Cheshire. Capesthorne is a red-brick Georgian mansion, remodelled in the 1830s by the architect Edward Blore. Gaskell’s letters dwell on the architectural features of the building, particularly its ‘old’ hall and […]
Online Talk – Christmas Customs
Zoom online only, United KingdomBringing some festive cheer from Elizabeth Gaskell’s House to your home! Sit back with a mince pie and enjoy the Gaskell Society's Anthony Burton’s talk about seasonal customs from Christmases past. The Victorians rediscovered many traditional customs, from wassail bowls and yule logs to mummers and boar’s heads. Anthony explores this ‘re-invention of Christmas’ and […]
New Year Lunch, 2022
Cottons Hotel and Spa Manchester Road, Knutsford, United KingdomWe're thrilled to welcome our members and friends back for our wonderful New Year lunch, now a firm favourite in our society's calendar. Join us at the the Cottons Hotel, Knutsford for a three-course lunch, including coffee and after-lunch entertainment. Bookings must made, along with menu choices, by 7 January, 2022. Wednesday 19 January 2022, […]
Online Talk – Cranford Illustrators: which bits did they illustrate?
Zoom online only, United KingdomAs part of the Love Affair with Cranford exhibition at Elizabeth Gaskell's House, Anthony Burton returns with a new online talk exploring Cranford’s many illustrators. Surveying thirteen varied artists, he asks why they were attracted to illustrate certain aspects of Elizabeth Gaskell’s work. The cow in flannel pyjamas? Few artists tried this but many depicted Miss Matty burning […]
Knutsford Meeting – Ruth III
Brook Street Chapel Adam's Hill,, Knutsford, United KingdomOur monthly meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month, between October and April (except December). Bring your own packed lunch from 1pm and then enjoy a friendly and informal talk and discussion, led by Dr Diane Duffy, 2-3pm. Our October, November, January and February sessions are an exploration of Elizabeth Gaskell's novel, […]