New Theory on Jane Austen’s Fatal Illness

Jane Austen died on 18 July 1817 at age forty-one. She left us with six major novels, letters, juvenilia, some miscellanea and a posthumous mystery. What caused her early demise? 
One hundred and ninety-two years later experts are still speculating on the fatal illness that robbed her of full life and us the possibility of more [...]

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Maria Edgeworth – One of Jane Austen’s Favorite Novelist

“And what are you reading, Miss –?” “Oh! it is only a novel!” replies the young lady, while she lays down her book with affected indifference, or momentary shame. “It is only Cecilia, or Camilla, or Belinda”; or, in short, only some work in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed, in which [...]

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Jane Austen’s Siblings – Charles John Austen 1779-1852

The Endymion came into Portsmouth on Sunday, & I have sent Charles a short letter by this day’s post…He has received 30£ for his share of the privateer & expects 10£ more – but of what avail is it to take prizes if he lays out the produce in presents to his Sisters. He has [...]

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Jane Austen’s Siblings – Rev. Henry Thomas Austen 1771-1850

P&P is sold. – Egerton gives £110 for it. – I would rather have had £150, but we could not both be pleased, & I am not at all surprised that he should chuse to hazard so much. – Its’ being sold will I hope be a great saving of Trouble to Henry, & therefore [...]

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Jane Austen’s Siblings – Rev. James Austen 1765-1819

Our party to Ashe to-morrow night will consist of Edward Cooper, James (for a Ball is nothing without him), Buller, who is now staying with us – I look forward with great impatience to it, as I rather expect to receive an offer from my friend in the course of the evening. I shall refuse [...]

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Reflection upon the Deaths of Jane Austen and Civility

Gentle Readers: Today is the anniversary of Jane Austen’s death at Winchester in 1817. She was only 41 years old, succumbing to what most believe was Addison’s disease. Here is my tribute to her passing In Memoriam: Jane Austen.
Even though this is a day of solemn reflection for Janeites, it is also a day to pay homage and [...]

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Jane Austen’s Letters: What a bit of pewter will supply

Jane Austen’s letters are rich repository of her life and Regency times. In this letter to her sister Cassandra, Jane is in London visiting her brother Henry Austen while her fourth novel Emma is to be published by John Murray. She also talks of shopping and running errands for her family, friends and herself. Even though she has book royalties coming in from her three previous publications, she still is keenly aware of how much a shilling is worth, concerned over her recent purchase of 4 silk stockings!

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Jane Austen Illustrated: Portraits – the Good, the Bad and the Ugly!

        
Before make-over, and after
A few years back, a publisher decided Jane Austen’s portrait by a Victorian era artist was too ugly to put on a book cover and decided to give her a make-over adding a new hair do and makeup. 
“She was not much of a looker,” said Helen Trayler, managing director of publisher Wordsworth [...]

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Jane Austen Biographer: Mary Augusta Austen-Leigh

Was Jane Austen a Moralist? No! many of her fervent admirers will exclaim – ‘Thank Heaven – that she was not!’ Her mission was to amuse, to delight, to refresh us – but neither to reprove nor to condemn us! Those who want ‘Moral Tales’ must seek them elsewhere; they are not to be found [...]

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In Memoriam: Jane Austen

Jane Austen: 16 December 1775 – 18 July 1817

Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;
We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind.
William Wordsworth

A sad day for Janeites. I will let other excellent
pens dwell on the guilt and misery.
Jane Austen’s Last Days, at Jane Austen’s World
Austen’s [...]

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A Memoir of Jane Austen: The Beginnings of a Pop Icon

“The Memoir of my Aunt, Jane Austen, has been received with more favour than I had ventured to expect. The notices taken of it in the periodical press, as well as letters addressed to me by many with whom I am not personally acquainted, show that an unabated interest is still taken in every particular [...]

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