Elizabeth Gaskell

Date of Birth: September 29, 1810

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: November 12, 1865

Biography

Elizabeth Gaskell (née Stevenson) was a prominent English novelist and short story writer during the Victorian era. Born on September 29, 1810, in Chelsea, London, she was the daughter of William Stevenson, a Unitarian minister, and Elizabeth Holland. After her mother’s death, she was sent to live with her aunt in Knutsford, Cheshire, which later provided the setting for her novel “Cranford.” Gaskell’s literary career began with the publication of her first novel, “Mary Barton,” in 1848, which addressed social issues and the difficulties faced by the working class in industrial Manchester. She went on to write several other notable works, including “North and South” and “Wives and Daughters,” which explored similar themes of class and gender. In addition to her novels, Gaskell wrote numerous short stories and was an active social reformer. She was a friend and contemporary of many significant literary figures of her time, including Charlotte Brontë, for whom she wrote a well-regarded biography. Elizabeth Gaskell passed away on November 12, 1865, but her works continue to be celebrated for their detailed social commentary and vivid characterizations.

5 Interesting Facts about Elizabeth Gaskell

1. Elizabeth Gaskell’s novel “Mary Barton” was published anonymously in 1848 and brought her immediate acclaim.

2. She was a close friend of Charlotte Brontë and wrote her biography, “The Life of Charlotte Brontë,” published in 1857.

3. Gaskell’s work “North and South” is considered one of the first industrial novels and explores the conflicts between the mill owners and workers.

4. She was married to William Gaskell, a Unitarian minister, and they had six children, though only four survived to adulthood.

5. Her home in Manchester is now a museum dedicated to her life and works, known as the Elizabeth Gaskell House.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Elizabeth Gaskell

1. “Sometimes one likes foolish people for their folly, better than wise people for their wisdom.”

2. “A man is so in the way in the house.”

3. “People may flatter themselves just as much by thinking that their faults are always present to other people’s minds, as if they believe that the world is always contemplating their individual charms and virtues.”

4. “I’ll not listen to reason… Reason always means what someone else has got to say.”

5. “How easy it is to judge rightly after one sees what evil comes from judging wrongly.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Elizabeth Gaskell’s highest net worth is not well-documented, but she achieved considerable success and recognition in her lifetime.

Children

Elizabeth and William Gaskell had six children, although only four survived to adulthood: 1. Marianne Gaskell 2. Margaret Emily “Meta” Gaskell 3. Florence Gaskell 4. Julia Bradford Gaskell