The Gaskells and the Cultural Life of Victorian Manchester

Overview

Manchester was the first industrial city in the world, a triumph of science, engineering and private enterprise, although technically it did not gain city status until 1853 when it received a royal charter. Many saw this metropolis as a cultural desert, but there were many artists, writers and musicians who lived and thrived in Manchester, proving that there was more to this city than its mills and foundries. Looking at art, music and literature, I trace how the arts thrived in the city, from the Manchester Music to the founding of the famous Halle Orchestra; from the Art Treasures Exhibition in Old Trafford to the setting up of a Society of Women Painters, the city was alive with exciting cultural events. Ruskin and Dickens both lectured in Manchester, the writers Geraldine Dewsbury (Zoe and the Half Sisters) and Mrs. Isabella Banks (The Manchester Man) lived in the city, while Francis Hodgson Burnet (Little Lord Fauntleroy and A Lass O’Lowries) though born in Cheetham Hill, later moving across the border in Salford. I leave Elizabeth Gaskell until the end, as she lived in the city and worked hard to improve the lives of its workers. Through her connections with writers and industrialists and her great love of art and music, it is possible to trace how the arts, science and engineering became intrinsically linked. And, of course, Gaskell’s Mary Barton divided the nation because she took up the plight of the factory workers against her own peers; at least that is what many believed.

This talk explores how Elizabeth Gaskell and her circle were at the centre of Manchester’s cultural life during the mid-19th century and how two of her daughters continued her legacy.

Practical Information

The talk includes a Q&A session.

Booking is essential. Lit&Phil members: we recommend logging into the website to make booking your free member ticket quicker and easier.

Accessibility Information

The venue is wheelchair accessible with an accessible toilet on the ground floor. Please contact us regarding any specific accessibility requirements you may have by emailing events@manlitphil.ac.uk