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Elizabeth Gaskell (1810-65)
Who?
An active humanitarian who specialised in 'condition of England' novels, which were about social relations as well as personal feelings. The daughter of a Unitarian minister and journalist, she was brought up by her aunt in Knutsford, Cheshire. She married in 1832 and lived in Manchester, where she observed the behaviour and speech of industrial workers.
Must reads
Mary Barton (1848), Cranford (1853) and Wives and Daughters (1866).
Darkest hour
The death of her son in infancy. To distract herself, she wrote Mary Barton.
Greatest triumph
In 1850, Charles Dickens invited her to contribute to the weekly magazine, Household Words.
Essential quotes
'If my child lies dying, does the rich man bring the wine or broth that might save his life?' (Mary Barton)
'A man is so in the way in the house!' (Cranford)
'It is very pleasant dining with a bachelor, said Miss Matty, softly, as we settled ourselves in the counting house. I only hope it is not improper; so many pleasant things are!' (Cranford)
Gossip
Charles Dickens was so exasperated at the waywardness of her behaviour as a contributor to Household Words that he said to his sub-editor: 'If I were Mr G, oh, Heaven how I would beat her!' Gaskell wrote the first biography of Charlotte Bronte, containing some libellous statements which had to be withdrawn.
Did u know?
She was a close friend of Charlotte Bronte, John Ruskin, Thomas Carlyle and Florence Nightingale.
What to say
Gaskell was the kind of novelist who believes that a writer should change society and fight social injustice. In her books, the authentic voice of the English working class is heard for the first time. Her novels were underrated by critics for a century after her death.
Don't say
She would have made a good schoolteacher.
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