Did you know Christopher Isherwood came from Stockport? Come and find out more in this Festival of Libraries talk.

Christopher Isherwood – best known for his novel Goodbye to Berlin and the musical Cabaret – is possibly the most famous writer to have come from the borough of Stockport, but most people are not aware of his connection to the area.

Drawing on more than ten years of research, and with reference to the archives held in Stockport and California, this illustrated talk by Andrew Biswell tells the story of Isherwood’s writing about Stockport and the wider history of his family’s connections to the area. David Hockney’s famous double portrait of Isherwood and his partner Don Bachardy is a landmark in the history of LGBTQ+ visibility, and Isherwood wrote openly about his sexuality at a time when to do so was both unusual and dangerous.

There will be a pop-up display of books by Isherwood from the Portico Library’s collection as part of the event.

Professor Andrew Biswell is Director of the International Anthony Burgess Foundation.

This event is part of Manchester’s Festival of Libraries., UNESCO City of Literature.