Searching for Ann Walker
Uncovering the life & legacy of an extraordinary 19th-century woman
A groundbreaking anthology uncovering the life, relationships, and legacy of Ann Walker. Not only the wife of Anne Lister (“Gentleman Jack”), but a remarkable woman in her own right.
This book reveals a vivid portrait of a complex, resilient woman who defied societal expectations to live with the woman she loved, and whose life formed part of one of Britain’s earliest documented lesbian unions.
You can buy the book on Amazon and other online bookstores
What this book is about
Searching for Ann Walker is a non-fiction anthology that brings to light the life of Ann Walker, known to many as the wife of Anne Lister (the renowned nineteenth-century Yorkshire diarist).
Through original archival research, the authors explore:
- Her relationship with Anne Lister
- Her friendships and travels
- Her business dealings
- Her mental health
- Her life after Lister’s death
It is ISAW’s hope that this anthology can serve as a vital resource for those interested in the true story of Ann Walker. A woman who defied societal norms, and, by so doing, left an indelible legacy.
“Debunking long-repeated myths about Ann Walker and uncovering details about her fuller life (before, with, and after Anne Lister), this extraordinary volume presents groundbreaking archival findings. Its revelations offer necessary reading — whether one reads for Ann’s sake, for Anne’s sake, for the sake of their bold years together, or for a vibrant, meticulously documented account of nineteenth-century women’s lives.”
– Professor Laurie Shannon, Convenor of The Anne Lister Society
Chapter summaries for Searching for Ann Walker
The Early Years by Leila Straub highlights interactions between the Walker and Lister families that predate Ann and Anne’s romantic relationship. The chapter provides colourful anecdotes about young Ann Walker and her family, while detailing a budding interest between the women that hints at their future relationship.
Halifax Society by Martin Walker provides important socio-economic context. It explores the rise of new social classes during Ann’s lifetime. In tracing the lineage and influence of prominent Yorkshire families like the Walkers, Priestleys, and Edwards, the chapter outlines the position that Ann and her relatives held in Halifax. Family trees for this chapter are on our additional reading page.
A Bright Spirit by Leila Straub showcases Ann Walker’s spirited, strong-willed personality. Including her competitive streak in her relationship with Anne Lister, and her ability to find joy amidst hardship and tragedy.
Lowness also by Straub, provides a detailed overview of what is known about Ann’s struggles with mental health from Anne Lister’s journals and Ann’s letters, as well as from correspondence between family members and doctors. Drawing on contemporary psychological insights, it contributes to a deeper understanding of Ann Walker’s mental health journey.
Circle of Friends by Deb Woolson tells the story of three influential friends whose lives were intertwined with Ann’s, and who stood by her during especially challenging times. Additional images for this chapter are on our additional reading page.
The Marriage by Dorjana Širola examines the period of Ann Walker’s life during which she was in a committed relationship with Anne Lister. The chapter explores various aspects of their marriage, including the couple’s domestic, emotional, and sexual relationship.
The Last Journey also by Širola, chronicles Ann’s fateful trip to the Russian Empire with Anne Lister. Covering their adventures on the road, Anne’s illness and death in Georgia, Ann’s voyage back to Shibden Hall, and the long passage home of Anne’s body.
Life After Death by Catriona Findlay explores how Ann navigated life as a widow, facing the challenges of managing two estates and multiple tenants without her partner at her side.
The Decade of Committees by Diane Halford delves into the last decade of Ann’s life, during which she lost agency over her person and estates after being found to be of unsound mind. It covers the people who were influential in her life during this period, and explores how Ann Walker responded to losing control of her own destiny.
“Finally, Ann Walker steps out from the long shadow of Anne Lister, in a book that wipes away the myths, presents the facts and offers a far deeper understanding of this courageous woman. Should be first on the list for any true scholars of either Ann or Anne. Kudos to ISAW and their relentless search for the truth!”
– Pat Esgate, Lead Organizer, Anne Lister Birthday Week (ALBW)
About the authors
This book was written by collaborators of In Search of Ann Walker (ISAW), an international collective of independent researchers and transcribers committed to fostering a multi-faceted understanding of Ann Walker.
DIANE HALFORD is a co-founder of In Search of Ann Walker (ISAW) began researching Ann in 2019. She likes to spend her time in archives, where she has uncovered many documents relating to Ann, including her only known diary to date, found in October 2020. Diane’s primary interest has been Ann’s life after the 1840 death of her wife Anne Lister, but she is excited by any discovery that provides more insight into Ann’s life.
LEILA STRAUB holds a doctorate in social and cognitive psychology from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. She has helped transcribe numerous pages of Anne Lister’s journals and Ann Walker’s diary for the West Yorkshire Archive Service. Fascinated by Ann’s mental health journey, she has conducted extensive research into Ann’s own writing as well as that of her contemporaries. In setting out to learn more about Ann Walker’s health and life, she has found her to be a stubborn, endearing, and resilient woman.
DORJANA ŠIROLA’s background includes a doctorate in comparative philology from the University of Oxford and a decade spent as a university lecturer in linguistics and English in her home country of Croatia. She has transcribed sections of Anne Lister’s journal and travel notes as well as Ann Walker’s diary for the West Yorkshire Archive Service. She has also researched various aspects of Anne Lister’s life, with a particular interest in her travels. Dorjana now works in information technology and resides in Canterbury, UK.
CATRIONA FINDLAY lives in Scotland and previously worked as a business planner with an American firm. She now dedicates her time to script writing, including work for a small Manchester-based production company. Catriona is fascinated by the compelling narrative in Ann’s story and feels privileged to have had the chance to share just a fraction of this remarkable tale.
MARTIN WALKER (no relation) is a recently retired software engineer living in Oxford, England. Like many others, he came to Ann Walker via the BBC/HBO television drama Gentleman Jack. Intrigued by the story of two remarkable women, he started to independently research the lives of both Anne Lister and Ann Walker, becoming an #AnneListerCodeBreaker as part of West Yorkshire Archive Service’s Anne Lister Diary Transcription Project. Joining In Search of Ann Walker (ISAW) in 2021, he has since been involved with further collaborative research and has written several blogs for ISAW.
DEB WOOLSON resides in the United States and is semi-retired after enjoying careers in both advertising and state government. Since joining ISAW after watching Gentleman Jack, she has become a fervent researcher, writing and co-authoring over eighteen blogs about the people and places in Ann Walker’s life. During her research journey, Deb found that her ancestors hailed from Yorkshire, with one born in Halifax in 1829.