Elizabeth Cleghorn Stevenson Gaskell was a renowned British novelist and biographer of the Victorian era. She is also known by her pen name, Mrs. Gaskell. Some synonyms for her name include E.C. Gaskell, Elizabeth Gaskell, Mrs. Gaskell, and simply Gaskell. She is widely recognized for her compelling and humanistic portrayal of Victorian society, specifically the lives of women and the working class. Gaskell's works include "North and South," "Cranford," and "Mary Barton," among others. Today, she is considered one of the most important British novelists of the 19th century and her works are still widely read and celebrated.