Biography
of Jane Austen
Jane Austen
(16 December 1775 – 18 July 1817),
an English novelist, primarily known for
her six major novels - Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice
(1813), Mansfield Park (1814) and Emma (1816), Northanger Abbey ( 1818 ) and
Persuasion ( 1818 ) which interpret, critique and comment upon the then British
landed gentry in 18th century. Austen often plots upon the dependence of women
on marriage in terms of favorable social status and financial security. Her
works critique the novels of sensibility being an important part of the
transition to 19th-century literary realism. Along with her realism she used biting irony, humour, and social
commentary, which earned her acclaim among critics, scholars, and popular
audiences alike.
As
soon as Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield
Park (1814) and Emma (1816) were brought out, she got success as a published
writer. Her last two novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, both were
published posthumously in 1818, and she began another,titled Sanditon, but
could not finished. Among her other unfinished works are three volumes of
juvenile writings in manuscript, Lady Susan, and another unfinished novel, The
Watsons.
On
16 December, 1775 Jane Austen was born in Steventon, Hampsh. Jane's father, Mr.
George Austen who was from an old, respected, and wealthy family of wool
merchants, was the rector of the Anglican parishes at Steventon and at nearby
Deane. Gradually, George's family fell into poverty. George was admitted to St
John's College, Oxford where he most probably met Cassandra Leigh. Later they
got engaged. Initially their income was modest, with small per annum living of
George; Cassandra brought to the marriage the expectation of a small
inheritance at the time of her mother's death.
In
the year 1783, Austen and her sister Cassandra were sent to Oxford to be
educated. But in autumn both girls were sent home because they caught typhus
and Austen nearly died where from Austen home educated. Later, she attended
boarding school in Reading Abbey Girls' School but later in December 1786 she
had to leave school because the school fees for the two girls were too high for
the Austen family. After 1786, Austen "never again lived anywhere beyond
the bounds of her immediate family environment"
Guided
by her father and brothers James and Henry, her next education came from
reading. Irene Collins believes that Austen "used some of the same school
books as the boys" her father tutored. Austen apparently got unfettered
access both to her father's library and that of a family friend, Warren Hastings.
Her father was also tolerant of Austen's sometimes experiments in writing. He
also provided both sisters with expensive paper and other materials for their
writing and drawing.
Another
essential part of Austen's education were private theatricals . From her early
childhood, the family and friends staged a series of plays in the rectory barn,
where she took part first as a spectator and later as a participant Most of the
plays performed there were comedies, which suggests how Austen's satirical gifts
were cultivated. She probably tried her own hand at dramatic writing at the age
of 12; and she wrote three short plays during her teenage years.
Like many other women authors at the time, Austen also was
compelled to publish her books anonymously. During her time at Chawton, four
generally well-received novels by Jane Austen were published. Through her
brother Henry she send her manuscript to the publisher Thomas Egerton who
agreed to publish Sense and Sensibility, which, like all of Jane Austen's novels
except Pride and Prejudice, was published "on commission". Sense and
Sensibility was brought out in October 1811, and was described as being written
"By a Lady". Favourable were reviews and the novel became fashionable
among young aristocratic society. Austen's novels were published in larger
editions. Austen made £140 from Sense and Sensibility. After Sense and
Sensibility was a great success, all of
Austen's subsequent books were billed as written "By the author of Sense
and Sensibility" and Austen's name never appeared on her books during her
lifetime. Then Mansfield Park was very popular with readers. Within six months
all copies were sold , and Austen's earnings on this novel were larger than for
any of her other novels.
By early 1816, Austen was feeling unwell, but overlooked the
warning signs. She continued to work in
spite of her illness and during this period she worked on The Elliots ( after
her death published as Persuasion ). And Austen began The Brothers ( published
as Sanditon in 1925), and completed twelve Chapters before stopping work due to
illness. She put down her pen on 18 March 1817, making a note that she was
turning "every wrong colour" and living "chiefly on the
sofa". She experienced difficulty walking and lacked energy as her illness
progressed ; and by mid-April she was confined to bed. In May, she was
suffering from agonizing pain and welcomed death. On 18th July, 1817, at the
age of 41, Austen died in Winchester.
We discussed on the topics here:
Jane Austen books
Jane Austen novels
Jane Austen biography
Jane Austen birthday
Jane Austen husband
Jane Austen house
Jane Austen death
Jane Austen education
Why is Jane Austen so popular?
What is Jane Austen's most popular book?
Who did Jane Austen marry?
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