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Forgotten Victorian Women Translators: The religious lives and literary work of Susanna and Catherine Winkworth

Explore the religious lives and literary work of two important, but forgotten, figures. 

Susanna and Catherine Winkworth were Victorian women who translated theological texts. They contributed to religious and intellectual debates in the mid-19th century. This was a bold undertaking because the field of theology was then dominated by men.

Discover a revealing selection of their photographs, private letters and published books. These include their lively correspondence with novelists Elizabeth Gaskell and Charlotte Bronte. The Winkworth's written memories of philosopher James Martineau and German Historian, Chevalier Bunsen also shed important light on their careers. 

Their books were published in a variety of mass produced and handmade editions. They often contain ornamented illustrations by established artists of the time. 

The exhibits belong largely to Leeds University Library’s collections. Some items have been kindly lent from the private collection of Dr Rachel Webster. 
 

Catherine Winkworth 
Lyra Germanica: The Christian Life, illustrated by John Leighton F. S. A., E. Armitage and F. Madox Brown 
London: Longmans Green, Reader and Dyer, 1868
Leeds University Library, Illustrated Books Collection B-2/LEI
Catherine Winkworth 
Lyra Germanica: The Christian Life, illustrated by John Leighton F. S. A., E. Armitage and F. Madox Brown 
London: Longmans Green, Reader and Dyer, 1868
Leeds University Library, Illustrated Books Collection B-2/LEI
Catherine Winkworth 
Lyra Germanica: The Christian Life, illustrated by John Leighton F. S. A., E. Armitage and F. Madox Brown 
London: Longmans Green, Reader and Dyer, 1868
Leeds University Library, Illustrated Books Collection B-2/LEI