This week marks 200 years since Jane Austen passed away, here at World of Rare Books we need to celebrate Jane Austen and her wonderful work this week.
Jane Austen was born on the 16th December 1775, she passed away due to illness on the 18th July 1817. This year marks 200 years since her death and with many celebrations occurring across Great Britain, we are proud to celebrate this brilliant author. She was born a month later than her parents expected in Steventon, Hampshire. She was one of eight children to George and Cassandra-Leigh.
Jane Austen was renowned for her six major novels, which interpret and comment upon the British gentry at the end of the 18th century. Austen’s novels explore the dependence of women on marriage in the pursuit of a favourable social standing and financial security. Her first 4 books: Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park and Emma all made her a success as a published writer. She then went on to write two additional novels: Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, and both were published posthumously in 1818. There was another book that she began writing but was sadly left unfinished.
Even to this day her novels have never been out of print, originally published anonymously, they brought little fame in her lifetime. She was introduced to a wider audience 52 years after her death when her memoirs were published by her nephew.
Jane Austen was taken as unwell by early 1816, but ignored all the warning signs. By the middle of that year, she began a slow deterioration. She did continue to work in spite of her illness. Her siblings Henry and Cassandra took her to Winchester for treatment, but she had suffered agonising pain and welcomed death. She died in Winchester on the 18th July 1817 at the age of 41. She is buried in Winchester Cathedral.
With many adaptations of Jane Austen’s stories, she remains a key player in the literary world currently. Lucky for us Britons, Jane Austen will be making an appearance on the new polymer £10 note, due to be released in Autumn this year.
Check out our brilliant Jane Austen selection here at World of Rare Books. Want more Jane Austen? We take a look into one of her most famous novels, Pride and Prejudice and why it is a firm favourite here.