Blogs & News

: Online Event: International Women’s Day – Breaking Boundaries

Join our three literary houses in an evening to celebrate women writers who broke boundaries as we mark International Women’s Day. Step into the worlds of novelists Anne Brontë and Elizabeth Gaskell, and their feminist predecessors Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Robinson. Celebrate how these four writers shook the world and broke the contemporary social constraints on women. Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary Long remembered only for her relationship with the Prince of Wales, Mary Robinson has been reclaimed as one

: Online Talk: Valentine’s Day – Jane Austen, Charlotte Brontë and Elizabeth Gaskell

‘Reader, I married him.’ Celebrate Valentine's Day with a closer look at classic romances from your favourite authors. Jane Austen, Charlotte Brontë and Elizabeth Gaskell created some of the best-loved heroes ever to grace page or screen with Pride and Prejudice’s Mr Darcy, Jane Eyre’s Mr Rochester and, of course, North and South’s smouldering Mr Thornton. Now popular speaker Elizabeth Williams is back with a new talk celebrating how these very different writers tackled love and romance in

: Online Talk: At Home with Elizabeth Gaskell

’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 As part of the 10 year anniversary celebrations of the opening of Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, we’re celebrating the home life of this incredible writer. 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

: Online Tour: Restoring Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

As part of the 10-year anniversary celebrations of the opening of Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, you can experience Manchester’s literary heritage brought to life. Enjoy a special online tour by the 'House Detective' Frank Galvin MBE. Using 360-degree photography our expert guide reveals the true story of restoring Elizabeth Gaskell’s House. This unique tour will explore how the House was brought back from the brink by expert skills and exacting historic research. And all brought to you by one

: Online Talk: Redemption through Divine Motherhood in Ruth – Religion in Victorian Literature

In a world not built for women, we take a radical new look at religion and redemption in Victorian literature. Starting with Elizabeth Gaskell’s groundbreaking novel Ruth, this online talk will reveal the revisionary use of Christian imagery and themes in the scandalous story of teenage motherhood. Then we will take a look at similar ideas of 'God as a mother'. Discover a fresh look at a range of authors from popular favourites like Charlottë Bronte and Harriet