Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell 29 September 1810 - 12 November 1865), often referred to as Mrs Gaskell, was an English novelist and short story writer.Susan and Michael were to be married in April. He had already gone to take possession of his new farm, three or four miles away from Yew Nook--but that is neighbouring, according to the acceptation of the word in that thinly-populated district, --when William Dixon fell ill. He came home one evening, complaining of head-ache and pains in his limbs.