Dame Jacqueline Wilson, one of the nation's favourite writers, has been named Ambassador for Charlotte in a new initiative revealed as part of the Brontë Society's celebrations surrounding the bicentenary of Charlotte Brontë.
Brontë200 is a five-year programme of events and activities to commemorate the 200th anniversaries of the births of each of the Brontë siblings: Charlotte in 2016, Branwell in 2017, Emily in 2018 and Anne in 2020. By working with high-profile figures from the worlds of literature, art, performance, music and history as 'ambassadors' during the Brontë200 period, the Brontë Society hopes to attract a new generation of audiences both to the Brontës' work and to Haworth Parsonage, now the Brontë Parsonage Museum.
Jacqueline Wilson is the best-selling author of over a hundred books, including The Illustrated Mum, Queenie and The Worry Website and was Children's Laureate between 2005 - 2007. She has long been a fan of Charlotte Brontë and tickets for an event hosted by the Brontë Parsonage Museum in 2011 sold out in record time.
On accepting the role, Jacqueline said:
"I think it's wonderful that the Brontë Society is celebrating the bicentenaries of all the Brontës in turn and I'm delighted to be a special ambassador for Charlotte during 2016. Jane Eyre is my all-time favourite novel. I first read the book when I was ten and have reread it many times since with increasing enjoyment. I've devoured more Brontë novels and many biographies, visited the Parsonage Museum half a dozen times and walked across the moors breathing in the bracing air. I shall be doing everything in my power to spread the word about Charlotte Brontë and encourage everyone to read her brilliant novels."
Rebecca Yorke, spokesperson for the Brontë Society said:
"Dame Jacqueline Wilson is a perfect Ambassador for Charlotte. Like Charlotte, she began writing at a very young age and there are echoes of the motherless, neglected and resilient Jane Eyre in several of Jacqueline's most-loved characters, such as Tracy Beaker and Hetty Feather. We are thrilled to be working with Jacqueline during 2016 and with her help we hope to engage new and younger audiences with Charlotte Brontë and her work."
Jacqueline Wilson will return to Haworth for an event in October. Details will be announced later in the year. Keep an eye on our What's On pages for more information or join the mailing list for updates.