An exhibition at John Rylands Library is commemorating the 200th anniversary of one of Manchester's most celebrated authors, Elizabeth Gaskell.
Elizabeth Gaskell wrote six novels, two novellas, numerous articles, short stories, and an acclaimed biography of her friend Charlotte Brontë.
Two of her novels, Cranford and North and South, have been made into BBC TV productions in recent years, with the former also using her short stories, My Lady Ludlow and Mr Harrison's Confessions as inspiration.
Cranford was based on Elizabeth Gaskell's own upbringing in Knutsford.
When she did move to Manchester, she lived on Plymouth Grove in a house which is now undergoing renovation work that will hopefully restore it to its former glory.
The exhibition at the Library includes several of Mrs Gaskell’s personal effects, including her inkstand and quills.
The inkstand sits alongside the part of her short story, The Grey Woman, which is shown in its original handwritten form.
It also includes unpublished personal correspondence, which is on display to the public for the first time, and her letter opener.
Also on show is a miniature portrait which captures a much younger Elizabeth than most people would recognise.
Much more familiar is the aged Elizabeth, who is captured in a photograph that is now so fragile, the exhibition can only include a copy.
Elizabeth Gaskell: A Connected Life will run from Wednesday 14 July to Sunday 28 November 2010 at The Christie Gallery in The John Rylands Library. Entry is free.
What are these?
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~12~RS~)
E-mail this to a friend
Bookmark with:
What are these?