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Exhibition marks Gaskell bicentenary at John Rylands Library, Deansgate

14 Jul 2010

... plus Summer Serenade in Historic Reading Room on 18 July

Guests at Gaskell bicentenary launch

Elizabeth Gaskell: A Connected Life
John Rylands Library
15 July – 28 November 2010

A special exhibition featuring one of the Victorian era’s best loved writers was launched yesterday evening (14 July) at The University of Manchester’s John Rylands Library, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of her birth.

Elizabeth Gaskell authored six novels, two novellas, numerous articles, short stories, and an acclaimed biography of her friend Charlotte Brontë.

Her most famous novel Cranford - famously depicts life in Knutsford, Cheshire where she grew up – and was adapted into two BBC drama series.

The exhibition features highlights from the Library’s world renowned collections including unpublished personal correspondence - on display to the public for the first time.

Other items, generously loaned by Gaskell’s descendants and a Gaskell archivist include her passport, prayer book, a teapot and other personal memorabilia.

Rosemary Dabbs, great-great granddaughter of Gaskell – officially opened the exhibition and there were also contributions from actor Lesley Manville, who appeared in BBC adaptations of North and South and Cranford.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a full programme of public events – including:

  • Community singing led by the Grace Darling singers and Manchester Balladeers Mark Dowding and Chris Harvey Pollington.
  • Talks on the fashions of the time by The History Wardrobe.
  • A series of public lectures by leading Gaskell scholars including Jenny Uglow and Pamela Corpron-Parker curator tours of the exhibition and family fun days.

For more information:

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Summer Serenade
Sunday 18 July, 2-3pm
Historic Reading Room

Enjoy an hour of inspirational music with ‘The Dovedale Singers’, a four-part mixed choir singing a variety of music ranging from madrigals to Cole Porter favourites, religious music to folk songs.

The choir perform many fund-raising concerts, helping churches and other organisations. Recent appearances include the Bridgewater Hall, the Royal Northern College of Music and Manchester Cathedral.

Booking is recommended – please contact: