Description
Discover the remarkable story of Frances Mary Richardson Currer (1785–1861), the pioneering bibliophile of Eshton Hall, Skipton, hailed as one of Britain’s earliest female book collectors.
Currer built a vast and eclectic library, rich in natural history, literature, antiquities, and more, owning works by Jane Austen and Fenimore Cooper. A quiet force in her community, she funded the Keighley Mechanics’ Institute and supported Cowan Bridge, the Brontës’ infamous school. With close ties to the Sidgwick family – neighbours to Charlotte Brontë – her influence may have extended further than we know.
Was she the mysterious benefactor who helped clear Patrick Brontë’s debts? Could her name have inspired Charlotte’s pen name, Currer Bell? And did the sisters ever glimpse her remarkable collection?
This illustrated talk uncovers Currer’s hidden legacy, blending fact, speculation, and Brontë connections to explore how one woman’s passion for books may have quietly shaped literary history.
About the Speaker
Irene Lofthouse
Irene Lofthouse is an author, playwright, performer and research consultant based in Bradford. Her writing ranges across fiction and non-fiction; incorporates all ages and ranges across genres. She is a First story writer-in-residence for primary and secondary schools, editing five anthologies of young writers’ work. Irene regularly undertakes author talks in schools; creates educational learning content for universities, museums, libraries, Historic England, BBC Sounds and delivers workshops for Literature Festivals. Work appears in numerous anthologies (poetry and fiction); online at 26Characters; in her ‘Strange Tales’ children’s collections, and at live performances, open mics, festivals and one-woman shows.
She a trustee of JB Priestley Society, Undercliffe Cemetery and 26 Characters; has co-founded two community theatre groups and an award-winning training resources publishing business.
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