Exhibition marks Gaskell bicentenary

A special exhibition featuring one of the Victorian era’s best loved writers is being launched tomorrow 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The exhibition features highlights from the Library’s world renowned collections including unpublished personal correspondence – on display to the public for the first time.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.

Sarah Prince, great great great granddaughter of Gaskell, will officially open the exhibition and there will also be 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.

Public Programmes Manager Jacqui Fortnum said: “This exhibition, which marks the bicentenary of her birth, draws on the Library’s world-class Gaskell collections to explore her place in these diverse communities.

“It looks at how her social networks influenced her fiction and the worlds she depicted in her books.

“It also considers the worldwide community of readers past and present who have found enjoyment in Gaskell’s work.”

NOTES FOR EDITORS
Elizabeth Gaskell: A Connected Life will run from 14 July to 28 November 2010 at The Christie Gallery – The John Rylands Library.

The launch will take place from 6 to 8pm  on Wednesday, 14 July.

The John Rylands University Library is open to the public free of charge. Opening times: Mon 12.00-5.00, Tues-Sat 10.00-5.00, Sun 12.00-5.00.

The  exhibition celebrates Gaskell’s bi-centennial, and draws upon the Library’s extensive and unique collections of Gaskell material in addition to personal items which have been generously loaned by Rosemary Dabbs, Sarah Prince, Heather Sharps and the Brotherton Library, The University of Leeds

Heather Sharps is the widow of John Geoffrey Sharps, the Gaskell scholar whose collections are now part of the Library’s archive.