A student on our MA in Nineteenth Century Studies degree is taking her research on the life and works of the Brontë siblings into spooky new places and a new career at the Brontë Parsonage Museum in Haworth.
Elysia Brown will deliver a research talk on 8th February for the Brontë Society and Bronte enthusiasts from around the world on ‘Emily Brontë and the Vampire’. The talk will share rare items from the Brontë archives to uncover Emily Brontë’s literary interest in vampires. Elysia will trace the influence of German literature and vampire stories on Wuthering Heights, and how Emily Bronte’s writing has gone on to shape modern vampire media like Twilight.
Elysia completed a BA in English Literature at Edge Hill in 2023, where she studied modules on Victorian literature, Vampire Fictions, and a specialist module on the life and works of the Brontës. She went on to secure her dream job working at the Brontë Parsonage Museum, where Emily, Anne and Charlotte lived from 1820 and wrote their most famous works including Wuthering Heights and the Tenant of Wildfell Hall to Jane Eyre. Elysia said:
‘I’m privileged that I get to physically engage with the legacy of the Bronte family, and share their incredible story with visitors of all ages and backgrounds from all over the world.’
‘I have been able to take my love for the Brontes’ novels and poetry – deepened thanks to my studies on modules at Edge Hill – and apply it in my career. I have been supported both by my tutors at Edge Hill and my colleagues at the Bronte Parsonage Museum in following my passion for the Brontes into the world of work, and have the honour of engaging with literature, heritage, and curatorial disciplines on a daily basis.’
Alongside her work at the Brontë Parsonage, Elysia is a student on the MA in Nineteenth Century Studies, where her talk also forms part of her coursework for a module ‘Working on the Nineteenth Century’. Tutor Dr Laura Eastlake said:
‘Elysia is a brilliant example of how our students can follow their passions into rewarding careers in heritage. The degree has been popular with students who want work in – or who are already employed in – museums, galleries, archives and libraries. We give students the research to follow their interests in nineteenth century topics. But we also create practical opportunities to take their knowledge out into the world, whether that be producing exhibitions, public talks, or working with some of our brilliant partner organizations across the UK.’
Book your place on Elysia’s talk here. Thursday 8 February, 7.30pm (GMT) Zoom.
You can find out more about the MA in Nineteenth Century Studies here.