Birthing the Brontës
Online Talk by Dr Michael O’Dowd
Tuesday 14th October, 6:30pm
In May 1815, Maria Branwell Brontë arrived in Thornton with her husband Patrick and their two daughters. Over the next few years, she gave birth to four more children—Charlotte, Branwell, Emily and Anne—within the walls of what is now the Brontë Birthplace.
In this illuminating online talk, Dr Michael O’Dowd, retired Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and distinguished medical historian, explores the birthing practices of early 19th-century England. What did childbirth look like for women like Maria Brontë? What positions were used? Was pain relief available? Who attended the birth?
Dr O’Dowd also examines the final illness of Charlotte Brontë, asking whether she may have died from hyperemesis gravidarum—a severe pregnancy-related condition—or another cause entirely.
With decades of experience and a deep passion for medical history, Dr O’Dowd brings a unique perspective to the Brontë story. His publications include Charlotte Brontë: A Medical Casebook (2025), Charlotte Brontë: An Irish Odyssey (2021), and The History of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Tickets:
🎟️ £10 – Attend in person at the Brontë Birthplace
🎟️ £6 – Online access (link emailed after booking)