“To Walk Invisible: The Brontë Sisters” will premiere on WHYY (PBS Channel 12) on Sunday, March 26 at 9 pm. The Brontë sisters – Charlotte (1816-1855), Emily (1818-1848) and Anne (1820-1849) – were born in Yorkshire, England, the daughters of an Anglican minister. All three became authors in a time when this was not an acceptable occupation for women.

“ ‘To Walk Invisible:  The Brontë Sisters’ follows the sisters … in the eventful three- year period that saw them rise from ordinary, unmarried women, to the secret authors of the world’s most sensational literature.” (PBS) The two-hour film is part of PBS’s Masterpiece series which previously brought us “Victoria,” “Poldark,” “Sherlock” and “Downton Abbey.”

Dig Deeper – The Brontës:

 The Brontës (1994). Juliet Barker. This is the book that screen writer Sally Wainwright used for her adaptation. Wainwright described it as her “research Bible.”

The Brontës:  A Life in Letters (c.1997). Juliet Barker.

 “To Walk Invisible:  BBC’s Brontë Biopic.” Katherine Clements. Historia article.

Books by Charlotte Brontë in our collection

Books by Emily Brontë in our collection

Books by Anne Brontë in our collection

An exhibit on Charlotte Brontë at the Morgan Library and Museum, NYC, closed in January, but there is still content available online including personal letters that you can view and read.

This “Dig Deeper” was prepared by Sarah Wingo, English Literature and Theatre librarian. Office:  room 223, telephone 610-519-5183.

Brontë sisters image courtesy of Rex Features/The Telegraph. Wingo photograph by Alice Bampton.