A student on the MA Nineteenth Century Studies is taking her research on the life and works of the Brontë siblings into spooky new places and a new career at the Brontë Parsonage Museum in Haworth.
Elysia Brown delivered a research talk on ‘Emily Brontë [right] and the Vampire’ for the Brontë Society and Bronte enthusiasts from around the world. Elysia’s talk shared rare items from the Brontë archives to uncover Emily Brontë’s literary interest in vampires, tracing the influence of German literature and vampire stories on Wuthering Heights, and how Emily Bronte’s writing has shaped modern vampire media, such as Twilight.
Hailing from Nelson, near Burnley, Elysia completed a BA (Hons) English Literature at Edge Hill in 2023, studying modules on Victorian literature, Vampire Fictions, and a specialist module on the life and works of the Brontës. She went on to secure her dream job, working at the Brontë Parsonage Museum, where Emily, Anne and Charlotte lived from 1820, and wrote their most famous works, including Wuthering Heights, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and Jane Eyre.
“I’m privileged that I get to physically engage with the legacy of the Brontë family, and share their incredible story with visitors of all ages and backgrounds from around the world,” said Elysia. “I’ve been able to take my love for the Brontës’ novels and poetry – deepened thanks to my studies at Edge Hill – and apply it in my career. I’ve been supported both by my tutors at Edge Hill and my colleagues at the Brontë Parsonage Museum in taking my passion for the Brontës into the world of work. I have the honour of engaging with literature, heritage, and curatorial disciplines on a daily basis.”
Alongside her work at the Brontë Parsonage, Elysia is a student on the MA in Nineteenth Century Studies, where her talk forms part of her coursework for the ‘Working on the Nineteenth Century’ module.
Dr Laura Eastlake, Senior Lecturer in English Literature:
“Elysia is a brilliant example of how our students can follow their passions into rewarding careers. The degree has been popular with students who want work in – or who are already employed in – museums, galleries, archives and libraries. We give students the research to follow their interests in nineteenth century topics. But we also create practical opportunities to take their knowledge out into the world, whether that be producing exhibitions, public talks, or working with some of our brilliant partner organisations across the UK.”
