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Gaskell, Elizabeth Cleghorn

From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
English novelist. Her most popular book, Cranford (1853), is the study of a small, close-knit circle in a small town, modelled on Knutsford, Cheshire, where she was brought up. Her other books, which often deal with social concerns, include Mary Barton (1848), North and South (1855), Sylvia's Lovers (1863–64), and the unfinished Wives and Daughters (1866). She wrote a frank and sympathetic biography of her friend Charlotte Brontë (1857). Gaskell was born in London, and spent much of her youth with her aunt in Knutsford. In 1832 she married William Gaskell (1805–1884), a Unitarian minister from Manchester, and from then on led a very busy life, bringing up four daughters; helping the unemployed, the poor, and prostitutes in the slums of Manchester; and entertaining numerous friends and acquaintances. The success of Mary Barton established her as a novelist; in this work she describes with insight and sympathy the life and feelings of working-class people. She became a friend of English…
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Full text Article Gaskell, Elizabeth (Cleghorn Stevenson)

From The Palgrave Macmillan Dictionary of Women's Biography
English novelist. Born in Chelsea, London, the daughter of a Unitarian minister, she was a year old when her mother died and was brought up by her aunt in Knutsford, Cheshire. From 1825 to 1827 she attended Avonbank School, Stratford. After the death of her brother, then of her father in 1829, she…
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Full text Article Gaskell, Elizabeth Cleghorn

From Continuum Encyclopedia of British Literature
One of the 19th c.’s most accomplished novelists, short story writers, and biographers, Gaskell was the daughter of William and Elizabeth Stevenson, both of whom were strongly committed to Unitarianism, an extremely tolerant version of nonconformist Protestantism that stresses reason and freedom of…
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Full text Article PATRIOTISM

From Collins Dictionary of Quotations
What pity is itThat we can die but once to serve ourcountry! ADDISON, Joseph Cato (1713). [Said on the eve of her execution] Standing, as I do, in view of God and eternity I realize that patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone. CAVELL, Edith The Times , 1915. …
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Full text Article DRESS

From Collins Dictionary of Quotations
It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds. AESOP ‘ The Jay and the Peacock ’. You look rather rash my dear your colours dont quite match your face. ASHFORD, Daisy The Young Visiters (1919). [Commen... …
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Full text Article MEN AND WOMEN

From Collins Dictionary of Quotations
Needing someone is like needing a parachute. If he isn’t there the first time you need him, chances are you won’t be needing him again. ADAMS, Scott The Dilbert Principle . The more I know about men the more I like dogs. ALLRED, Gloria Politically Incorrect , 1995. …
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Full text Article Gaskell, Elizabeth (Cleghorn)

From Britannica Concise Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Gaskell, chalk drawing by George...
(born Sept. 29, 1810, Chelsea, London, Eng.—died Nov. 12, 1865, near Alton, Hampshire) British writer. The daughter of a Unitarian minister, Gaskell also married a Unitarian minister and began writing in middle age. Cranford (1853), her most popular novel, and the unfinished Wives and Daughters…
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Full text Article Gaskell, Mrs Elizabeth Cleghorn

From Chambers Biographical Dictionary
née Stevenson 1810-65 English novelist She was born in Cheyne Row, Chelsea, London. Her father was successively a teacher, preacher, farmer, boarding-house keeper, writer and keeper of the records to the Treasury, and she was brought up by an aunt in Knutsford - the Cranford of her stories. In 1832…
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Full text Article Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell (1810–1865)

From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
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Full text Article Gaskell

From Merriam-Webster's Collegiate(R) Dictionary Full text Article Biographical Names
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