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Jane Austen's Life

By firstimpressions

  • Abbey School

    Jane and Cassandra arrive at Abbey School in Reading.

  • Jane Austen is born

    Jane Austen is born at the Steventon Rectory in Hampshire. She is the seventh child of George and Cassandra Austen.

  • Mrs Crawley's Boarding School

    Jane and her sister Cassandra leave home for Mrs Crawley’s boarding school. They return home soon after, having both caught Typhus fever.

  • Home schooling

    Jane and Cassandra return home, due to financial constraints on the family. The rest of her education is completed at home.

  • 'Love and Friendship'

    Jane writes ‘Love and Friendship’, which is generally perceived to be written with the aim of entertaining her family.

  • 'Lady Susan'

    Jane writes her first serious novel, ‘Lady Susan’, in epistolary form.

  • 'Elinor and Marianne'

    Jane begins work on another novel entitled ‘Elinor and Marianne’, which is almost certainly the predecessor of ‘Sense and Sensibility’.

  • Tom Lefroy

    Tom Lefroy, the nephew of their neighbours, visits Steventon. Letters to Cassandra at the time indicate that Jane fell in love with him and spent a great deal of time in his company.

  • Cutting ties

    Tom’s family cuts off the relationship, which is deemed impractical, as neither party has any money.

  • 'First Impressions'

    Jane completes the first draft of ‘First Impressions’, which goes on to become ‘Pride and Prejudice’.

  • 'Northanger Abbey'

    Jane begins work on what will eventually be called ‘Northanger Abbey’.

  • 'Susan'

    Jane begins work on ‘Susan’, a satire on the popular gothic novels of the time. This went on to be published under the title of ‘Northanger Abbey’.

  • Retirement

    George Austen announces his retirement from ministry and the whole family moves to Bath.

  • Crosby & Co

    Jane sold the rights to her novel ‘Susan’ for £10 through her brother Henry. However, the London bookseller Crosby & Co decided against publishing it.

  • Financial hardship

    George Austen dies, leaving his wife and sisters financially dependant on his sons.
  • Period: to

    Visiting relatives

    After moving out of rented accommodation in Bath, the women spent a great deal of time visiting relatives. They also stayed with their brother Francis and his new wife on and off from 1806 to 1809.

  • Lucky turn

    Another of their brothers, Edward, inherited their parent’s estate. He invited them to settle in one of his cottages in Chawton, Hampshire. Accompanied by their friend, Martha Lloydd, they led a quiet life and Jane revised her drafts while her brother Henry negotiated with the publishers.

  • 'Sense and Sensibility'

    ‘Elinor and Marianne’ is revised and published anonymously under the new title, ‘Sense and Sensibility’. Sold on a commission basis, it earned her £140 pounds.

  • 'Pride and Prejudice'

    ‘First Impressions’ is renamed and published under the title ‘Pride and Prejudice’. She sold the copyright for £110, and the novel enjoyed instant popularity.

  • 'Mansfield Park'

    'Mansfield Park' becomes another success once published, although it's neglected by the critics.

  • 'The Elliots'

    Jane begins to write another novel, ‘The Elliots’, which was later published as ‘Persuasion’.

  • Dedications

    Jane is invited to the Prince Regent’s (later King George IV) London home by his librarian. It is suggested that she dedicate her next novel to him, as he is a fan of her work. Austen would rather not grant the request, as she disapproves of his moral character, but is unable to say no.

  • 'Emma'

    'Emma' is published, and dedicated to the Prince Regent.

  • Financial hardship

    Henry’s bank venture fails and the Austens once again experience financial hardship. This delays the publication of ‘Persuasion’ and ‘Northanger Abbey’.

  • Illness

    Jane falls ill and Cassandra takes her to Cheltenham to seek medical care.

  • Return from Cheltenham

    Jane and Cassandra return from Cheltenham and Jane continues to work on ‘The Elliots’.

  • 'Susan'

    Henry repurchases the rights to ‘Susan’ from Crosby & Co, and intends to publish it as ‘Northanger Abbey’.

  • Bedridden

    Jane's illness confines her to her bed. She writes her will.

  • Death

    Jane passes away in Winchester aged 41.

  • Funeral

    Jane is buried in Winchester Cathedral.

  • Final publications

    ‘Northanger Abbey’ and ‘Persuasion’ are published. Henry pens a biographical note identifying the work as Jane Austen’s for the first time.