THE BRONTE Society has unveiled plans for celebrating the 200th anniversaries of the Bronte siblings’ births.

Bronte200 will begin in 2016 to mark the 200th anniversary of Charlotte’s Bronte’s birth, followed by Branwell in 2017, Emily in 2018 and Anne in 2020. The society also plans to commemorate the siblings’ father Patrick Bronte in 2019, 200 years after he was invited to take up the parson’s role in Haworth.

Brontë Society intends to ‘bring the Brontës to the world and the world to Yorkshire’ through a series of events, exhibitions and partnership projects.

Tracy Chevalier, author of the best-selling Girl With A Pearl Earring, is working with the Bronte Parsonage Museum on several projects. These will include an exhibition at the Parsonage, entitled I Shall Go Off Like A Bombshell, which will contrast the smallness of Charlotte’s world with the greatness of her ambition and achievements.

She will edit a collection of short stories influenced by the writing of Charlotte Bronte, entitled Reader, I Married Him, to be published in spring next year.

She said: “I have long loved Charlotte Brontë and am thrilled to be involved in the upcoming celebration of her bicentenary.

“The Parsonage is a unique house; it’s incredible to see the place where so much creativity arose. I’m hoping to sprinkle some surprises in amongst the dresses and writing desks – including a Twitter tour of the house and exhibition, and even a knitted Jane Eyre!”

Next year will also see Celebrating Charlotte, a touring exhibition which will be shown at the National Portrait Gallery in London and the Morgan Library and Museum in New York. The Bronte Society has also started its #seekingcharlotte social media campaign, seeking women of all ages named Charlotte to share the 200th anniversary celebrations.

Matthew Withey, chairman of the Brontë Society Bicentenary Committee, said: “The bicentenaries of the Brontë siblings provide a tremendous opportunity for the Brontë Society to celebrate the legacy of the Brontës across the globe.”