Dorothy: Writer, Sister, Friend

Dorothy Wordsworth was a remarkable woman. She was a writer, a pioneering walker, a philanthropist, an inspiring gardener – and a loving sister and friend. Her manuscripts reveal her remarkable powers of observation, her role as her brother’s most important collaborator, and her close and enduring friendships.

Our new exhibition, opening on 23 October, celebrates Dorothy’s 250^th birthday and tells her story through her own words and the people who loved and love her. This event brings together some of the contributors to the exhibition who worked to bring the story of this fascinating woman to life.

Speakers include Dr Joanna Taylor of University of Manchester and the Women in the Hills AHRC Research Network; artist Alex Jakob-Whitworth, who worked with young refugees creating artworks responding to Dorothy and the natural world; Jane Caven of Grasmere WI; Lee Hassall, artist and AHRC PhD researcher at the University of Glasgow, who worked with members of Barrow and Districts Society for the Blind to explore perceptions of landscape; researcher Samantha Frank and Hannah Catterall of the Wordsworth Trust, who explored the importance of Dorothy’s close friendships with members of the aroace community; and Kathleen Winter, transcriber of Dorothy’s 1830 and 1840 journals and author of Undersong. The event will end with closing remarks from Pamela Woof, former President of the Wordsworth Trust.

How to book and attend

Please read our guide to booking and attending online events before you purchase a ticket.

This event is a Zoom Webinar and the audience will not appear on screen. Automatic live captions will be provided by Otter AI.