Ghost writer: the story of East Antrim’s Charlotte Riddell

Ghost writer: the story of East Antrim’s Charlotte Riddell

A talk by Dr David Hume

Larne Museum & Arts Centre

Thursday 21 November 2024, 7.30pm – 9pm

Charlotte Riddell was born in Carrickfergus and was one of the most prominent Victorian ghost story writers.

She produced over 30 novels and 56 books in total including short stories, and was also editor of a prominent London literary journal.

As a teenager in Carrick, she wrote her first novel, based on Bonnybefore, and Kingslough was the fictitious name she chose for Carrick.

Her early work was autobiographical in some degree, but it is her later work, her ghost stories including The Uninhabited House, for which she would be better known, with some of her novels reprinting into second and third editions.

Yet despite this success, Charlotte Riddell is almost forgotten in her native area.

This talk looks at the life and times of Charlotte Riddell, intermingled with topics such as why the Victorians had such an interest in ghost stories, and includes some short extracts from her works.

This is a free event, however places are limited and should be booked in advance by contacting Larne Museum & Arts Centre on T: 028 2826 2443 or E: marian.kelso@midandeastantrim.gov.uk.

Light refreshments provided.