Online Event – International Women’s Day; Literary Letters
The private worlds of Jane Austen, Charlotte Brontë, Mary Somerville and Elizabeth Gaskell
Celebrate International Women’s Day through the private lives of three 19th century blockbuster women novelists and the ‘Queen of Science’ with live readings of their personal correspondence.
Join us as we step into the worlds of Jane Austen, Charlotte Brontë, Elizabeth Gaskell and Mary Somerville with fascinating insights into their lives, and readings from their remarkable letters.
Women’s words have often been dismissed as mere ‘gossip’, whilst men’s have been fêted and admired. But women’s letters can often reveal huge amounts about their writer’s lives and the boundaries that confined them, making them a fascinating portal into their private worlds. Jane Austen, Charlotte Brontë, Elizabeth Gaskell and Mary Somerville are four such extraordinary women, whose lives we can explore through their private words.
Join us online for revealing, intriguing and intimate portraits of these four 19th century icons, who continue to inspire and enthuse women around the world today.
£10 per ticket
A partnership event with Chawton House, Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, Brontë Parsonage Museum and Jane Austen’s House.
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.

Main Image ‘Sunshine of Love’ (1837). Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Fund
7pm - 9pm