This chronology will set Elizabeth Gaskell in her historical, social and literary contexts. It will focus on her career as a writer but will also underline her interactive roles as wife, mother, practical and tolerant Christian, radical sympathizer. Graham Handley discusses her early life, her marriage, the beginnings of her writing, the years of achievement, her social, humanitarian concerns, love of travel and its influence, with the balance of domesticity and creativity which is the key to her character.

'An Elizabeth Gaskell Chronology will represent a most useful resource for scholars of Gaskell at all levels: undergraduates, postgraduates and academics researching Gaskell and mid-nineteenth century fiction more generally.' - Dr Clare Pettitt, Newnham College, University of Cambridge

'This chronology of the daily course of Elizabeth Gaskell's life illustrates to the full the remarkable range of her interests and activities. The absorbing detail of a crowded and fascinating life is revealed for us by Graham Handley's work.' - Alan Shelston, Gaskell scholar and co-editor of The Further Letters of Mrs Gaskell

'A chronology might suggest, however useful, merely bare bones, but Graham Handley has expertly fleshed out Elizabeth Gaskell's life within the frame of her daily activity and of her artistic, social and political milieu. A welcome and essential reference tool.' - Professor Angus Eason, University of Salford

'Dr Handley has provided an invaluable chronology for all devotees of Elizabeth Gaskell. This essential volume facilitates our understanding of individual works in terms both of her total literary output and of relevant contemporaneous cultural, social and political events. It richly enhances our appreciation of the diverse sources and resources which went into the making of a delightful correspondent, a gifted biographer and an author of memorable novels and tales.' - J. G. Sharps, author of Mrs Gaskell: Observations and Invention

Autorentext
GRAHAM HANDLEY is a retired lecturer and has published widely on nineteenth-century fiction, particularly on George Eliot, Trollope and Elizabeth Gaskell amongst others.

Inhalt
Author Preface General Editor's Preface Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations Chronology Principal Sources Consulted Index