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Radical Walking: Women and the Outdoors in Pride and Prejudice and Mary Barton

A conversation between Libby Tempest (Gaskell Society) and Lizzie Dunford (Jane Austen House) about walking as a revolutionary act for women in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and Elizabeth Gaskell’s Mary Barton. A first edition of Mary Barton and an early edition of Pride and Prejudice from the Portico Library’s collection will be available for viewing.

A partnership with The Portico Library and Jane Austen’s House In Person at the Portico as part of the Portico’s Walking / Writing and Rambling / Reading series of events and Elizabeth Gaskell’s House Mary Barton season.

Libby Tempest has been Chair of the Gaskell Society since 2017. She previously ran the Art & Music Libraries in Manchester Central Library and the much-missed Language & Literature Library which contained one of the best Gaskell collections in the UK. She is a volunteer at Chetham’s Library, The Portico and Elizabeth Gaskell’s House.

Lizzie Dunford is the Director of Jane Austen’s House, the final home of the globally beloved author and the birthplace of all six of her era-defining and influential novels. Jane Austen’s house is in the little Hampshire village of Chawton, and Lizzie enjoys her walks through the fields and footpaths of the South Downs as much as Austen did. A trained conservator, and experienced museum leader, Lizzie has worked in the museums and heritage sector for over 15 years, with a focus on house museums.

Friday 19th May, 6pm

£5

For any enquiries, please contact The Portico Library 0161 236 6785.

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

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.