Postbox tribute to mark Brontë anniversary

The novelist was born on July 30, 1818 in the village of Thornton on the outskirts of Bradford.

And with the help of students from Thornton Primary School, Royal Mail unveiled the postbox in Market Street in the village yesterday. It features quotes from some of the author’s most famous works, including Wuthering Heights and her poetry.

Mark Street, head of campaigns at Royal Mail, said: “As one of the guardians of the written word, we relish the opportunity to celebrate the life and times of Britain’s most treasured writers.

“The incredible impact that Emily Brontë’s work has had on our culture is undeniable, and we are delighted to honour her work in this way.”

Rebecca Yorke, head of communications at The Brontë Society, said: “It’s perfect that Royal Mail has chosen to commemorate the bicentenary of Emily Brontë in this way.

“Correspondence played an important part in the lives of Emily and her sisters.

“Their letters have made a significant contribution to what we know about them.

“Emily spent most of her life at the Parsonage in Haworth, but we’re delighted that Thornton, where Emily was born, is also taking part in the bicentenary celebrations. We hope residents and visitors alike will enjoy the commemorative postbox.”

Emily was the fifth of the six Brontë children. After the loss of her mother in 1821 and her two oldest sisters in 1825 she, Anne, Charlotte and Branwell became a close family unit.

Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë’s only novel, was published in 1847 under the pseudonym Ellis Bell.

Through Brontë200, the Brontë Society is hosting a five-year programme celebrating the bicentenaries of the births of four of the Brontës: Charlotte in 2016, Branwell in 2017, Emily in 2018 and Anne in 2020.