The Father of the Brontës in Harvard

Dewsbury Today writes on the republication of WW Yates' book The Father of the Brontës, thanks to the efforts of Imelda Marsden and Brontë descendants Carol Bronte and Margaret Thompson (all three in the picture).

Descendants of the Bronte family helped launch a book about the literary sisters' father written by a former Dewsbury Reporter editor.
The Father of the Brontes was written by WW Yates in 1897, and has been out of print for decades.
But Mirfield Bronte enthusiast and Spen Valley Civic Society member Imelda Marsden has resurrected the book, complete with new material from her own research.
The book was launched at the Healds Hall Hotel in Liversedge – a suitable venue for the occasion as it featured in Charlotte's novel Shirley as the home of the Rev Matthew Helstone.
Among the guests were Carol Bronte and Margaret Thompson – both Bronte descendants who travelled from their home in Northern Ireland for the occasion. Carol brought along an array of crafts which are being produced by Brontes in the 21st century.
Imelda said the launch had gone really well with copies now gracing the shelves of universities in Japan and America.
"We've even got one at Harvard!" she said.
"We're really pleased with it and it all helps put North Kirklees on the Bronte map. So much of the Bronte story is naturally about Haworth, but this area is steeped in Bronte history as well and we want to shout about it."
Imelda said that during the launch event, the idea of twinning North Kirklees with the Emdale and Newry area of Northern Ireland, where the Brontes came from, had been mooted.

Here's how you can get your book:

Copies of The Father of the Brontes are available from the Spenborough Guardian office at 1 Market Street, Cleckheaton, the Dewsbury Reporter office in Wellington Road, Red House Museum in Gomersal and Oakwell Hall in Birstall. They cost £14.99 with profits going to Holly Bank School, Mirfield.

Congratulations to these three women for their achievement!

Categories: In_the_News, Books, Patrick_Brontë