Twenty Stories. One City. The City of Stories.
Marking twenty years of championing the city, VisitNorwich presents an ambitious year-long cultural celebration: Twenty Stories. One City. The City of Stories. Written by local guest authors our stories range from medieval rebels and mystics to pioneering reformers, artists, entrepreneurs and unsung heroes, these are the people who shaped Norwich – and whose legacy can still be discovered across the city today.
Harriet Martineau (1802 – 1876)
Known as England’s first female journalist and first female sociologist, as well as being a notable political, slavery abolitionist and feminist writer, Harriet wrote over 1,600 articles and many books. The majority of her work followed a two year visit to the USA where she advocated for women’s rights, including the right to be self supporting and able to express views- read more about Harriet’s story here.
Step Into The Story- a city you don’t just read about, you experience
The annual City of Literature Weekend at Norfolk & Norwich Festival hosts The Harriet Martineau Lecture. In 2026 (Saturday 23 May), it will be given by Rachel Clarke, a writer and NHS palliative care doctor (£12, 12pm – 1pm, the Spiegletent). (Listen to the first Harriet Martineau lecture in 2013 by author Ali Smith.)
Hear all about Harriet Martineau on a Her Story Walk with Norwich Story Walks (£10, public tour, can be booked privately) and visit Harriet Martineau’s house in Gurney Court, Magdalen Street, marked by a blue plaque (FREE).
Did you know that Harriet Martineau achieved all she did in spite of her deafness?
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