2025/08/26 Curious little things : Jane Austen
Jane Austen, one of literature’s most celebrated authors, was born on December 16, 1775, in Steventon, Hampshire, England. Known for her sharp wit and keen social observations. Beyond her iconic works like Pride and Prejudice and Emma, here are some intriguing facts about Austen’s life that offer a glimpse into her fascinating world.
Jane Austen was born to George Austen, a clergyman, and Cassandra Leigh Austen. She was the seventh of eight children and grew up in a close-knit family that valued education and encouraged reading and creative pursuits. This environment helped cultivate the intellectual sharpness evident in her novels. Her mother apparently was of a higher class han her father’s. Although her mother never appeared to regret marrying below her social class, Jane frequently explored themes of social hierarchy in her novels, possibly influenced by this aspect of her family’s background.
During her lifetime, Austen’s books were published anonymously. Titles were often credited to “A Lady” or “By the Author of…” It wasn’t until after her death that her brother Henry revealed her identity, ensuring her recognition as a significant literary figure. While not achieving fame during her lifetime, Austen did see moderate success and earned accolades from high-profile admirers. For example, the prince Regent (later George IV) was a fan, and his librarian invited Austen to visit his library and even suggested she dedicate Emma to him, which she reluctantly did.
Despite the modest earnings from her novels, Austen managed her finances shrewdly. She negotiated with publishers herself, a rare practice for women of her time. Her growing independence as a writer allowed her some economic freedom, though she still depended on her family for financial stability.
Austen’s move to Chawton Cottage in 1809 marked a prolific period in her writing career. It was here that she revised Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, and Northanger Abbey, and wrote Mansfield Park, Emma, and Persuasion. The cottage, now a museum, provided a stable home where she could devote more time to her writing.
Austen is often credited as one of the pioneers of realism in English literature. She introduced the novel format which focused on the daily lives and relationships of ordinary people, contrasting with the gothic and romantic novels popular during her time.
Austen’s personal life was marked by a few romantic relationships. She had two great loves. The first was with the nephew of a family friend who ultimately severed the relationship for inheritance reasons. The second was with a young clergyman Jane met in Sidmouth, Devon. It is believed that he intended to propose to Austen, but he tragically died before he could do so. She once accepted a proposal from Harris Bigg-Wither, a wealthy but tactless man, only to change her mind the next day.
Jane Austen died on July 18, 1817, at the age of 41 from what is now suspected to have been Addison’s disease. Her keen observations of human nature and society remain as poignant now as they were in her time, making her a timeless figure in English literature.
Researched and written by Pragati Singh
fact check. Class, may be , but not caste in British culture