“I know my own heart and understand my fellow man. But I am made unlike anyone I have ever met.
I dare to say I am like no one in the whole world.”
Anne Lister (1791-1840) was a Georgian industrialist and landowner who kept a diary describing her life.
As a lesbian woman she had to hide her identity from the world and her sexuality was only made public in the 1980s when historian Helena Whitbread decoded them.
She was born in Halifax, Yorkshire, and lived much of her life in and around York where there is a blue plaque to her. She ‘married’ her wife Ann Walker at Holy Trinity, Goodramgate, in York in 1834 (it was not an official ceremony as there was no marriage equality for gay people in the 19th Century).
Anne’s diaries provide not only an interesting insight into life for a lesbian in Georgian Britain but also contain details of life for a wealthy landowner. She remained a committed supporter of the Tory party and also opposed land reform for poor farmers.
She was also an adventurous traveller and describes mountaineering as well as trips throughout Britain and Europe.
Teaching Themes
Historical sources: Anne’s diaries are a valuable historical artefact and required decoding. Students can learn about how historians use archival materials.
Historical interpretations: Gentleman Jack (2019-2022) the BBC series could be used to help discuss the presentation of LGBTQ+ experiences in the past.
Life of landowners during the Industrial Revolution: Anne travelled extensively by ship and train; she also opposed land reforms during the time of the Industrial Revolution.
Religion: It was important to Lister and Walker that they be married in a church; today Holy Trinity celebrates this event.
Leisure and Culture: Anne enjoyed music and was responsible for extending her own home according to the fashions of the day.
Period & Place
National Curriculum Link
Ideas, political power, industry and empire: Britain, 1745-1901
Cross-curricular Links
KS3 English curriculum
Sources
The National Archives have put together an education pack with original sources: https://cdn.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/education/anne-lister-resource-pack.pdf
Calderdale Museums also has resources to introduce music, film and her diaries: https://museums.calderdale.gov.uk/explore/famous-figures/anne-lister/
Scholarship
Ann Choma (2019) Gentleman Jack, The Real Anne Lister. London: Penguin Random House & BBC Books.
Jill Liddington (1998) Female Fortune: Land, Gender and Authority. Rivers Oram Press.
Helena Whitbread (2010) The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister. Virago. (An updated version of 1988, I Know My Own Heart).