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Birth of Jane Austen
Jane Austen was born to a large family--8 brothers, and a sister (Cassandra). Her father was the rector at Steventon Church. Though her family did not have a lot of money, his position allowed him to be considered "country gentry." According to Elliot Engel, this was the most mannered age and class in the history of England...and a huge influence on Austen's future novels and characters. -
Jane and Cassandra go to school
Jane and Cassandra attend an Abbey boarding school in Reading. Jane was very close to Cassandra--they slept in the same bed every night. Though Jane was only ten (and eleven) at the time of school, she did not want to be separated from her sister. This marks Jane's only education outside of reading books in the family library. *Please note that exact dates are only a product of timetoast's required inclusion of days and months, rather than allowing simply years. -
Jane and Cassandra leave school
Jane and Cassandra attend an Abbey boarding school in Reading. Jane was very close to Cassandra--they slept in the same bed every night. Though Jane was only ten (and eleven) at the time of school, she did not want to be separated from her sister. This marks Jane's only education outside of reading books in the family library. *Please note that exact dates are only a product of timetoast's required inclusion of days and months, rather than allowing simply years. -
Epic Poem
Jane wanted to write an epic poem--a poem typically about a man in battle, who misses his ladylove. Jane wrote an epic poem about a girl--sample lines include "she then left to go to dinner, after which she wasn't thinner." Fortunately, Jane continued to write (and refine her craft) or we would be without her brilliant later works. *Please note that exact dates are only a product of timetoast's required inclusion of days and months, rather than allowing simply years. -
Wrote Sense and Sensibility
Jane wrote this novel to amuse her family. It was completed quickly, and shared immediately. Eventually, the novel was revised to publish. It was titled Sense and Sensibility, and credited "By a Lady" *Please note that exact dates are only a product of timetoast's required inclusion of days and months, rather than allowing simply years. -
Moving to Bath
Jane's father retired from his parish, and moved the family to Bath. Jane did not want to leave Steventon--she was known and accepted there, but being a woman, she did not have much of a choice about the move. She was terribly unhappy, and did not write while in Bath. *Please note that exact dates are only a product of timetoast's required inclusion of days and months, rather than allowing simply years. -
Father's death
Shortly after moving the family to Bath, Jane's father passes away. Because women were unable to inherit land, Jane, her mother, and her sister Cassandra were now effectively homeless. The spent time moving from relation's home to relation's home for the next 8 years. *Please note that exact dates are only a product of timetoast's required inclusion of days and months, rather than allowing simply years. Additionally, this is not the grave of Jane's father -
A home at last
Jane's brother Edward was adopted by a wealthy cousin--the Knight family. Upon inheriting their vast estates, Edward invited his mother and sisters to live in Chawton Cottage. They readily accepted, and this marked the beginning of the happier period in Jane's life *Please note that exact dates are only a product of timetoast's required inclusion of days and months, rather than allowing simply years. -
Published Sense and Sensibiltiy
After revising the orignal copy read and enjoyed by her family, Jane sent off the novel to be published. It was credited to her as "By a Lady," because it was considered disgraceful for a woman to write in this time. *Please note that exact dates are only a product of timetoast's required inclusion of days and months, rather than allowing simply years. -
Jane Austen's death
