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Online Talk: From Mary Barton to The Secret Garden – Elizabeth Gaskell and Frances Hodgson Burnett

Frances Hodgson Burnett is best known for her children’s books The Secret Garden (1911) and Little Lord Fauntleroy (1888) but she first made her name with industrial novels That Lass o’ Lowrie’s (1877) and Haworth’s (1879). That Lass o’ Lowrie’s tells the story of a remarkable ‘pit brow lassie’ (woman coal worker) Joan Lowrie, while Haworth’s offers a rags to riches to rags tale from the foundry floor. Manchester-born Burnett admired Elizabeth Gaskell and here Professor Sanders explores how her industrial novels reflect both Mary Barton (1848) and North and South (1854-55). Did she shamelessly copy or subtly adapt Elizabeth’s famous novels? Join us for a closer looking at two classic women writers.

‘It was absolutely superb – very informative and delivered with authority ‘ Visitor to previous Professor Sanders event

Wednesday 24 May, 7-8pm

Tickets £5

The talk will be approx 45 mins long, with time for a short question session afterwards.

**Refer to your e-ticket for joining instructions and links. Please check your spam/junk mail for ticket. This talk will also be recorded and all ticketholders will receive a link to the recording via TicketSource after the event.**

You can also support the house by buying a copy of Mary Barton from our online shop via this link.

If you have any questions about this event, please see our Frequently Asked Questions.

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is run by Manchester Historic Buildings Trust (charity no. 1080606) and all money gained through private tours, talks, room hire and ticket sales goes towards the ongoing maintenance and running costs of the house. If you would like to support the House with an additional donation you can do so via this link.