Elizabeth Gaskell was a British novelist and short story writer born on September 29, 1810, in London. She is best known for her works that explore social issues and the lives of the working class during the Victorian era. Some of her most famous novels include Mary Barton, North and South, and Cranford. Gaskell's writing often highlighted the struggles of women and the impact of industrialization on society. She was also a close friend of the famous author Charlotte Brontë and wrote a biography about her. Gaskell passed away on November 12, 1865, leaving a lasting legacy in English literature.