Literature

The area is steeped in literary and political history, immortalised in prose, poem and song: from Fredrich Engels’ sombre description of working class life, John Cooper Clarke’s ‘Queen of the Ritz’ in Salome Malone and Morrissey’s peak through the roof of the Holy Name Church in Vicar in a Tutu.

The former Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy and poet and playwright Lemn Sissay hold leading roles at our universities, and the central library has over 2 million visits per year, making it the most visited public library in the country.

The International Anthony Burgess Foundation celebrates all aspects of the life and work of Anthony Burgess, famous author of the Clockwork Orange and many other works. 

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, within close proximity to the Pankhurst Centre, is the former home of the famous author and her family. Mrs Gaskell’s novels often portrayed Victorian society, including the poor such as Mary Barton, which detailed the dismal state of the poverty-stricken workers in the industrial centres of the North. 

Providing exciting and original opportunities to experience outstanding live literature in an annual festival format, Manchester Literature Festival showcases the best in contemporary writing from across the world and is built on the legacy of its successful predecessor, Manchester Poetry Festival.