Jane Austen

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Born: December 16th 1775 

Died: July 18th 1817 

  

Life 

Jane Austen was born in Steventon in the county of Hampshire, England. She was the seventh child of eight and second daughter. Her father George was a rector and her mother Cassandra was renowned for her verses and stories.  

 The family was close knit and encouraged creativity and learning. They often amused themselves by writing plays and acting. Austen’s earliest writings date from 1787 and it was evident from the beginning that she favored parody and satire. Though Austen lived in a small, rural town her family had extended connections and she occasionally traveled to Bath and London.  

Though Austen never married, there’s speculation about several romantic engagements. In 1821, she accepted a proposal from Harris Bigg-Wither an heir to Hampshire estate. In the morning she changed her mind and called off the engagement. There is also conjecture that she was in love with someone who died shortly after they connected.   

In 1805 her father died and Austen, her mother, and her older sister Cassandra fell on financially hard times. The three women moved from place to place until finally settling at a cottage in Chawton. It was here at the cottage that Austen began to write her most well-known works. Including Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, and Emma. Her first novel Sense and Sensibility was published in 1811 after her brother helped negotiate with a publisher.  

From 1811 onwards, Austen enjoyed success as a writer. Her works were published anonymously and her brother Henry often acted as an agent on her behalf. Many of her novels were well received for their character sketches and domestic portrayals. The king regent (later King George IV) reportedly adored work and kept copies in his residences. Emma is even “respectfully dedicated” to him.  

In 1816 Austen’s health began to decline. Austen believed she suffered from bile and traveled to Winchester to receive treatment. Modern medical analysis indicates she had Addison’s disease. After her death in July of 1817, her brother Henry revealed to the public that she was the author of her works.   

Influence  

Austen is a precursor of the modern novel. She explored everyday domestic situations and characters unlike her contemporaries who focused on extraordinary characters and circumstances. Her novels follow a bildungsroman format, with her heroines coming into their own as they navigate society, expectations, and love.   

Austen is praised by scholars and readers alike for her compelling structure and realistic characters. Her works are heavily borrowed from and readapted in modern culture. Including Bollywood musicals, zombie parodies, and imaginative continuations. There are also several fan clubs including the Jane Austen Society of North America who refer to themselves as Janeites.  

  

List of novels