Elizabeth Branwell was born in Penzance in 1770, a member of a large and
influential Cornish family of merchants and property owners. In 1821 her
life changed forever when her sister Maria fell dangerously ill. Leaving
her comfortable life behind, Elizabeth made the long journey north to a
remote moorland village in Yorkshire to nurse her sister. After the
death of Maria, Elizabeth assumed the role of second mother to her
nephew and five nieces. She would never see Cornwall again, but instead
dedicated her life to her new family: the Brontës of Haworth, to whom
she was known as Aunt Branwell.
In this first ever biography of Elizabeth Branwell, we see at last the
huge impact she had on Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë, as well as on
her nephew Branwell Brontë who spiraled out of control away from her
calming influence. It was a legacy in Aunt Branwell's will that led
directly to the Brontë books we love today, but her influence on their
lives and characters was equally important. As opposed to the stern aunt
portrayed by Mrs. Gaskell in her biography of Charlotte Brontë, we find
a kind hearted woman who sacrificed everything for the children she came
to love. This revealing book also looks at the Branwell family, and how
their misfortunes mirrored that of the Brontës, and we find out what
happened to the Brontë cousin who emigrated to America, and in doing so
uncover the closest living relatives to the Brontë sisters today.
