£10 - buy online here (adds a fee) or call / walk into the Portico.

Did you know that Charles Dickens was a regular visitor to Manchester? Or that he visited the Portico Library in 1844? That he performed on stage in the city, that Manchester played a crucial role in the creation of one of his most famous books, or that his much-loved sister made her home here?

Come along to the Portico Library on 7 March to hear Lucinda Hawksley (great great great granddaughter of Charles and Catherine Dickens) uncover more about the author’s connections with your city.

There will be a chance to see some first editions of Dickens' books and his sign in in the Portico Stranger's Book. This is a fundraising activity for Portico Reunited.

Lucinda Hawksley is an author, art historian, public speaker and broadcaster, specialising in literature, art, history and social history from the 19th and early 20th centuries. She is also an award-winning travel writer with a love of the environment. She is Patron of the Charles Dickens Museum in London and the Patron of the Norwegian Pickwick Club. She has written many books on Dickens, including Dickens and Travel and Dickens and his circle. ind out more on her website: https://www.lucindahawksley.com/books/