Brontë Society

Brontë Society. The Brontë Society was founded in 1893 by T. W. Hanson and William Walsham How, with the aim of collecting and preserving the Brontë family's manuscripts, letters, and other personal items. The society's establishment was supported by notable figures such as Charles Dickens, Elizabeth Gaskell, and George Smith (publisher). The society's early efforts were focused on acquiring and preserving the Parsonage Museum in Haworth, which was the former home of the Brontë sisters: Charlotte Brontë, Emily Brontë, and Anne Brontë.

● History

The Brontë Society's history is closely tied to the Brontë family's legacy, with the society working to promote the sisters' literary works, including Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and Agnes Grey. The society's founding members, including T. W. Hanson and William Walsham How, were instrumental in establishing the Parsonage Museum as a hub for Brontë scholarship and research. Over the years, the society has been supported by notable authors and scholars, such as Virginia Woolf, E. M. Forster, and Katherine Mansfield. The society has also been involved in various literary events, including the Haworth Festival and the Ilkley Literature Festival, which have featured authors such as Ted Hughes, Sylvia Plath, and Seamus Heaney.

● Objectives

The Brontë Society's objectives are centered around promoting the Brontë sisters' literary works and preserving their legacy. The society aims to support research and scholarship on the Brontë family and their literary contributions, including Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell and Shirley (novel). The society also seeks to engage with the local community in Haworth and West Yorkshire, through events and exhibitions that celebrate the region's literary heritage, such as the Haworth Arts Festival and the Bradford Literature Festival. The society's objectives are also aligned with those of other literary organizations, such as the Jane Austen Society and the Charles Dickens Fellowship, which share a commitment to promoting literary heritage and scholarship.

● Museum

The Parsonage Museum is a key part of the Brontë Society's activities, with the museum showcasing the Brontë family's personal items, manuscripts, and letters. The museum's collection includes significant items such as Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre manuscript and Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights manuscript. The museum has also hosted exhibitions on the Brontë sisters' lives and works, featuring items from the British Library and the National Portrait Gallery. The museum's curatorial team has worked with other institutions, such as the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Tate Britain, to develop exhibitions and programs that promote the Brontë family's literary legacy.

● Membership

The Brontë Society offers membership to individuals who share an interest in the Brontë family and their literary works. Members of the society include scholars, researchers, and literary enthusiasts, such as Helen Dunmore, Jeanette Winterson, and Zadie Smith. The society's membership benefits include access to the Parsonage Museum, discounts on events and exhibitions, and a subscription to the society's journal, Brontë Studies. The society's members have also been involved in various literary events, including the Edinburgh International Book Festival and the London Book Fair, which have featured authors such as Ian McEwan, Margaret Atwood, and Donna Tartt.

● Publications

The Brontë Society publishes a range of materials, including the journal Brontë Studies, which features scholarly articles and research on the Brontë family and their literary works. The society also publishes books and pamphlets on the Brontë sisters' lives and works, such as The Brontës: A Life in Letters and The Oxford Companion to the Brontës. The society's publications are available to members and non-members, and are distributed through the Parsonage Museum and online channels. The society's publications have been reviewed by notable literary critics, such as Harold Bloom and Terry Eagleton, and have been featured in literary magazines, such as The London Review of Books and The Times Literary Supplement.

● Events

The Brontë Society hosts a range of events throughout the year, including lectures, workshops, and exhibitions. The society's events are designed to promote the Brontë family's literary legacy and to engage with the local community in Haworth and West Yorkshire. The society has hosted events featuring authors such as Salman Rushdie, Martin Amis, and Hilary Mantel, and has partnered with other literary organizations, such as the Arvon Foundation and the Society of Authors, to develop programs and events that celebrate literary heritage and scholarship. The society's events have also been supported by institutions such as the University of Leeds and the University of Manchester, which have a strong focus on literary studies and research. Category: Literary societies