Background information - settings - in the novels and characterisation Two of her brothers joined the Royal Navy and as young naval officers were involved in the Napoleonic Wars. They provided the background knowledge of sailing ships and naval men which she used in Mansfield Park and Persuasion. But in the main the setting of each book is the rectories or vicarages and country houses of southern England she knew well. The stories are told with humour, sparkling wit and a profound understanding of the human heart and mind. In each novel Jane Austen created unforgettable characters - of all ages. The heroine of Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet, is one of the most attractive characters in all literature, and the novel's opening ironic lines are unforgettable:

'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.' Comic characters include the Reverend Mr Collins, also in Pride and Prejudice and Mrs Elton in Emma. These characters contrast well with the more mature and moral heroines Fanny Price in Mansfield Park and Anne Elliot in Persuasion.

Jane Austen's life 1775 - 1811
Here is a brief outline of Jane Austen's life - the experiences from which her imagination and genius created the marvellous comedy of her fictional world.

Jane Austen's parents, the Reverend George Austen and Cassandra (nee Leigh) were married in Bath in 1764 and came to live in Hampshire, first at Deane and then at Steventon. They had eight children:

1765 - 1819 The Reverend James Austen
1766- 1838 George (disabled and did not live at home)
1767 - 1852 Edward (later adopted the surname Knight)
1771 - 1852 Henry, a soldier, then a banker (later ordained a clergyman)
1773 - 1845 Cassandra Austen, Jane's unmarried sister
1774 - 1865 Admiral Sir Francis Austen 1779 - 1852 Admiral Charles Austen

Steventon is a small rural village near Basingstoke. Mr Austen was rector there for forty years. Jane grew up in a happy family home. While the brothers were taught at home by their father, Cassandra and Jane were sent away to school, in Reading, for a few years - to learn music and dancing but probably not much else. When she was only twelve she began writing stories to amuse her family. She may also have helped to write some of the plays which were performed by her brothers and their friends in the nearby barn before she began to write the first version of two of her novels. Her father was so impressed by the manuscript of Pride and Prejudice (originally called 'First Impressions') that he wrote to a publisher in London, who replied that he was not interested!

As the sisters grew up they were often invited to dances and parties in the neighbouring large houses, and to balls at the Assembly Rooms in Basingstoke. Whenever Cassandra was staying away Jane would write long letters to tell her sister about these evenings, the names of fellow guests and of her own dancing partners. The letters show a keen eye for detail and a witty way of describing people, young and old.

Bath and Southampton
Her happy, carefree life changed when in 1801 Mr Austen decided to retire and to hand over the parish to the care of his eldest son James. Mr and Mrs Austen and their two unmarried daughters, Cassandra and Jane, went to live in Bath, a fashionable spa town much frequented by people seeking a cure for rheumatism, gout and other ailments. Cassandra and Jane joined in the lively social life of concerts, weekly dances at the Assembly Rooms and firework displays. The family also went for seaside holidays to places in the West Country, such as Lyme Regis in Dorset, which formed part of the setting for Persuasion.

In 1805 Mr Austen died suddenly. A few months later, Mrs Austen and her daughters, now much poorer, rented a house in Southampton which they shared with Jane's naval brother Francis and his young bride.

Chawton
Jane's third eldest brother, Edward, had been adopted as a boy by rich relations with no children of their own. He took their name of Knight and in time inherited three large landed estates: Chawton and Steventon in Hampshire and Godmersham Park in Kent. Jane and Cassandra often visited Edward and his large family in Kent and enjoyed the social life of the Knights and their wealthy neighbours in beautiful mansions and houses.

In 1809 Edward offered his widowed mother and sisters a cottage, either in Kent or Hampshire. Jane was delighted when Mrs Austen chose to return to Hampshire.

Settled now at Chawton, Mrs Austen, her two daughters and their friend Martha Lloyd enjoyed a quiet village life. After preparing the breakfast, Jane would spend the morning reading and writing. She prefered to keep her writing quite private and a story exists that she had the hinges of a door in the cottage left unoiled so it would creak whenever anyone opened it. This gave her warning someone was coming and thus time to hide her writing under some papers. Now she had time to revise the manuscripts of Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. Her brother Henry, a banker in London, helped to find a publisher and she would stay with him in London when there were proofs to read and correct. Whilst in London, Henry would take Jane to the theatre and she would go to picture galleries.

The Prince Regent (later George IV) was a great admirer of Jane Austen's novels, and although her name was not on the title-pages - which merely gave 'By a lady' - more and more people came to know her name. The Prince gave permission for Jane Austen to be shown his magnificently furnished London residence, Canton House. His librarian told Jane that she had the Prince's agreement if she would like to dedicate a novel to His Royal Highness. There was just time to arrange this before the text of Emma was printed, for although Jane Austen did not approve of the Prince Regent and his extravagant lifestyle, she thought it best to obey a 'royal command'.

At Chawton the Austen brothers would often bring their families to see their grandmother, Mrs Austen. Jane was a favourite aunt, always ready to play games, or to give advice to nephews and nieces when they showed her their youthful attempts at writing novels.

Winchester
During 1816 Jane became ill and in spite of Cassandra's devoted care her health deteriorated. In May 1817 Cassandra and Henry took Jane on the 18-mile journey from Chawton to Winchester to seek advice and help from a celebrated doctor there. It is thought her illness was Addison's disease. However the doctor was unable to help and she died early in the morning of 18 July 1817. She is buried in Winchester Cathedral, where her grave-stone and a memorial tablet mounted on the wall may be seen in the north aisle.