• The John Rylands University Library
• Special Collections
• Exhibitions
• Web exhibitions
• George Gissing returns from exile
  • The George Gissing Collection at The John Rylands Library
  • Early Life
  • London and Early Socialist Novels
  • Family Life and Social Circle
  • Literary Recognition and Growing Success
  • Last Years
  • Family Tree
  • Timeline
  • Further Reading
  • Educational Resources

George Gissing Returns from Exile

An exhibition at the John Rylands University Library, Deansgate, of manuscripts and printed books from The George Gissing / Kohler Collection, January-May 2008.

George Gissing (1857-1903) was a novelist who produced twenty-three novels and over a hundred short stories in his lifetime. His novels deal with important issues of the Victorian era, such as science and religion and the emancipation of women. Many of his works also depict the harsh realities of working class life.

The John Rylands Library acquired The Gissing/Kohler Collection in 2005. The collection includes autograph letters, manuscript material, photographic material, printed books and several presented by Gissing to friends and relatives. It is a significant collection that will add greatly to our understanding of the man, his life and his works.

The Gissing Collection is an important addition to the library's existing Gissing holdings, which include, some forty volumes published during his lifetime, a number of which are first editions and many examples of his magazine fiction and occasional writing.

We gratefully acknowledge the kind assistance of Professor Pierre Coustillas professor of English, University of Lille in the development of this online exhibition.