Jane Austen
Jane Austen
Author • Illustrator • EditorDecember 16, 1775 – July 18, 1817 · From United Kingdom- Books
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About
Jane Austen (1775–1817) was an English novelist whose six major novels examine the social and economic realities facing women in the landed gentry of Georgian England. Born at Steventon in Hampshire, she published anonymously: Sense and Sensibility (1811) appeared "By a Lady", and Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814) and Emma (1815) followed without her name on them.
She died at Winchester in 1817, aged 41; Northanger Abbey and Persuasion were issued together later that year with a biographical note by her brother Henry that identified her as their author for the first time. She also left the epistolary novella Lady Susan, three notebooks of juvenilia, and the unfinished The Watsons and Sanditon.
Virginia Woolf called her "the most perfect artist among women".
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Frequently asked questions
Jane Austen is celebrated for her six major novels, which interpret, critique, and comment upon the British landed gentry at the end of the 18th century. Her works are known for their social commentary, wit, and exploration of women's dependence on marriage for social standing and economic security.
Many of Jane Austen's novels have been adapted into popular films and television series. Notable adaptations include multiple versions of "Pride and Prejudice," "Sense and Sensibility," "Emma," and "Persuasion."
For readers new to Jane Austen, "Pride and Prejudice" is often recommended as an excellent starting point due to its engaging plot, memorable characters, and accessible style. "Sense and Sensibility" is another popular choice for its exploration of contrasting temperaments.
Jane Austen published her novels anonymously during her lifetime. Her first published work, "Sense and Sensibility," was attributed only to "A Lady."