The Victorian novelist George Gissing (1857-1903) was born on 22 November in Wakefield and lived as a boy in the house behind his father's chemist's shop in Thompson's Yard, just off Westgate.
George Gissing wrote 23 novels as well as two studies of Dickens, a travel book and numerous short stories. Among his best works are the semi-autobiographical The Private Papers of Henry Ryecroft and New Grub Street. In the latter he writes about the problems of struggling authors and the trade of hack journalism.
Although after his father’s death Gissing never lived permanently in Wakefield, his recollections of his home town, its landscape and some of its citizens colour some of his short stories and novels (A Life's Morning, is set in a thinly disguised Wakefield).
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As part of the celebrations to mark the 150th Anniversary of Gissing's birth a blue plaque was unveiled by Wakefield Civic Society at his birthplace.
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The Gissing Centre
The childhood home of novelist George Gissing (1857 -1903) is maintained by The Gissing Trust.
The Gissing Centre
2-4 Thompson's Yard
Westgate
Wakefield
WF1 1XH
Tel: 01924 372748 or 255047
The Centre exhibits material about Gissing's life and writing, including a model of the family home plus family memorabilia.
Admission is free.
Open Saturdays (May to September) 2.00pm - 4.00pm, or by appointment
(Please Note: This museum is not managed by Wakefield Council)
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The Gissing Trust
The Trust's aims are:-
- to further the establishment of The Gissing Centre
- the preservation of properties associated with George Gissing
- the acquisition and care and display of objects connected with Gissing and the literary life of Wakefield
- the pursuit of research relating to Gissing and the literary life of Wakefield
The Trust publishes the quarterly, The Gissing Journal, devoted to the life and work of George Gissing.
The Gissing Trust, prompted by the enthusiasm of Clifford Brook, was founded in 1978 when it became apparent that George Gissing’s boyhood home, standing empty and vandalised, was at risk of demolition and that, if there were a campaign for its preservation, it might be possible to establish a Centre there.
Wakefield Civic Society, Wakefield Historical Society, and scholars from across the world linked by the Gissing Journal, came together to found the Trust. Since its opening in 1990 the Gissing Centre has promoted research into Gissing himself and has regularly celebrated the wider literary history of Wakefield.
The Gissing Trust can be contacted through Mr Anthony Petyt (Secretary and Treasurer), 30 The Spinney, Sandal, Wakefield WF2 6JN
