This absorbing study of Elizabeth Gaskell’s early life up to her marriage in 1832 is based almost entirely on new evidence. Also, using parish records, marriage settlements, property transfers, wills, record office documents, letters, journals and private papers, John Chapple has recreated the background of one of the nineteenth century’s greatest novelists.

The widely differing lives of her father, brother and the aunt who raised her are illuminated at length by these original documents. Chapple has discovered a number of letters written by close relations that shed new light on her upbringing, and he analyses three hitherto unknown travel journals buy her Knutsford cousins which prove that she grew up in a literary milieu.

Other biographical accounts of Elizabeth Gaskell’s life have been compared and, where necessary, corrected, but Chapple’s main emphasis lies with the wealth of new material that he has discovered. This ensures that The early years will provide a secure basis for future criticism of her creative works, which so often rely on biographical details

'This is an astonishing book. That Professor Chapple was working on it and something of its intention and scales have been well known for some time, but the work itself is even more impressive than expected - The range of material, the new information, the new interpretations offered here are amazing, but never, thanks to Professor Chapple's authoritative and eloquent handling, overwhelming.' Professor Angus Easson

John Chapple is Emeritus Professor at the University of Hull