Jane Austen

Little is known of Jane Austen's life and this - according to one biographer - is because the information is "famously scarce".

Some of what is known is based on content her immediate family, descendents and heirs created for the public or allowed to become known. Despite being a shy woman, Jane encountered some relationships that ultimately reflect her as being charismatic and carefree, in reckless pursuit of love, in contrast to her older sister who was thought of as the sensible one.

The recognition of Jane Austen's contribution to the literary world came after her death. Today she is considered one of the examples of literary excellence - worthy and deserving to be referred to in the same lines as Charles Dickens, Arthur Conan Doyle, William Shakespeare and the Brontë sisters.

Her works are heralded as being classical literature but Jane Austen continues to be popular name in the reading choices of a modern audience.

How Jane Austen influenced literature

by Chris Wiegard

Jane Austen wrote several novels in early nineteenth century England before dying at a relatively young age. She remains one of the most widely read authors of fiction classics, with fans around the planet. Pride and Prejudice, her most ... More>

Biography: Jane Austen

by Alex Storey

Jane Austen was one of eight children born to an English clergyman in 1775 and Anne Hathaway played Austen in the 2007 film Becoming Jane. Romantic fiction set among the gentry, the work of Jane Austen highlights women’s dependence on marriage... More>

Great gifts for lovers of Jane Austen

by Caroline Sumner

Though at first thought it may seem that the only gifts available for lovers of Jane Austen is either a copy of one of her books or a DVD of a film adaptation, there are actually plenty of options that break free of these two barriers. Check out som... More>

The continuing popularity of Jane Austen's novels

by Lisa Rosenkranz

Just like Jane Austen’s previous novels, Persuasion is a timeless tale of love that still resonates even in the modern day and creates a world that readers can still relate to almost two hundred years later. Austen’s novels b... More>

Jane Austen and anti-Jacobinism

by Shirley Lendway

The Conservative Jane Austen Born into a world where a woman’s accomplishments, such as dance, singing, and needlework were more important than what is now defined as formal education, Jane Austen had her work cut out for her as a writer. An a... More>

Quick Facts about Jane Austen

Birthdate: 16 December 1775
Birthplace: Steventon Rectory, Hampshire
Family: Parents, George & Cassandra Austen, and six siblings (Jane was the youngest).
Died: 18 July 1817, aged 41
Buried: Winchester Cathedral, Hampshire

- Two of Jane Austen's novels were published posthumously (Northanger Abbey & Persuasion)
- Jane Austen never married but her relationships were as complicated as those of her characters.
- Little recognition was given to Jane Austen during her lifetime and she gained popularity after her death.

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Jane Austen

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Quick Facts about Jane Austen

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