Jane Austen
Jane Austen was a famous novelist of the 19th century. She was a much-beloved writer of her time, often praised for her authentic writing skills, which critics and literature experts recognized.
Jane Austen was born in the village of Steventon in Hampshire, England, on December 16, 1775, and had seven other siblings. Austen's parents had a well-rounded family background; however, they didn't live the most luxurious life. Her father, Reverend George Austen, was the family's only breadwinner, serving as a rector of the church and part-time private tutor. Only some of Austen's siblings were sent to school due to their humble financial condition, and Jane herself was almost one of them.
Education
Around 1785, Jane Austen and her sister Cassandra Austen were sent to a boarding school that taught French, knitting, and painting. However, the sisters had to quit around 1786 due to lack of funds.
Despite this, Jane Austen educated herself at home by reading books from her parents' library. This self-education became a catalyst for her development into one of the most versatile English writers of the 18th century. Around 1787, she began writing her first literary works.
Personal Life
Jane Austen was not widely publicized like her contemporaries Mary Shelley or William Wordsworth. Most of the personal information about her comes from letters shared with her sister Cassandra Austen, which highlight her life outside of her stories.
Her parents and siblings were very encouraging of her writing career. She traveled occasionally with her father to Bath and London, experiences that influenced many of her book settings and characters.
Unlike Mary Shelley, Jane Austen never married or had children. Both Austen sisters chose to reject marriage, which was unusual in the orthodox society of the time. Jane was briefly engaged to Harris Big-Wither in 1802 but called off the arrangement. Despite speculation about her romantic life, her writings suggest a deep understanding of love and unrequited love.
Jane Austen spent her final years in Winchester, Hampshire, England, passing away on July 18, 1817.
Books and Literary Works
Many letters between Jane Austen and Cassandra were destroyed by Cassandra to protect Jane’s privacy. The surviving letters, though incomplete, are important sources of information about Austen's life.
Her earliest works date back to around 1787–1793, including prose, plays, poetry, and short novels in the genre of sentimental comedy. The manuscripts "Volume First," "Volume Second," and "Volume Third" marked her initial steps into writing.
-
Lady Susan – A short epistolary novel, published posthumously in 1871, illustrating the struggles of women in society. Likely written around 1794, it addresses frustration, sexism, and societal limitations.
-
Sense and Sensibility (1811) – Focuses on the lives of sisters Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, contrasting Elinor’s sensible nature with Marianne’s emotional sensitivity.
-
Pride and Prejudice (1813) – Considered Austen’s masterpiece, exploring love, class, and society through the story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy.
Other notable works include:
-
Mansfield Park (1814)
-
Emma (1815)
-
Persuasion (1817, posthumously)
-
Northanger Abbey (1817, posthumously)
These novels create vivid fictional worlds with realistic issues and conventional characters, a hallmark of Austen's storytelling.