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Jane Austen
The author of six well loved novels: Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), Emma (1816), Northanger Abbey and Persuasion (1818). Her stories have inspired generations of readers to learn about her life and world; and her characters have provided an insightful and humorous look at the human condition. Although she had very little control over where she would live and what she would do, her creative imagination still found a way to express itself with the support and encouragement of her father, sister, and brother.
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Jane Austen Program
This program gives an overview of Jane's life with allusions to world events. Two songs from her own copied song book are sung. This is a 45 minute presentation followed by a question and answer time. It is conducted in first person and in costume. Program fees vary upon travel distance. For more information or to schedule a performance contact Raylene Hlavaty here.
Jane Austen was born in Steventon, Hampshire, England on December 16, 1775 to George and Cassandra (Leigh) Austen. George was the rector at Steventon and part of the lesser gentry. He also farmed and ran a small school. Jane was the seventh of eight children and the second girl. Her family provided a rich environment of learning and creativity which eventually resulted in her six well loved novels.
Jane was especially close to her older sister Cassandra who she always considered smarter and more capable. Attending school for only a short time, Cassandra and Jane returned home to enjoy unlimited access to their father's excellent and diverse library. The Austins were a close family and maintained this connection even as Jane's brothers left home. James would organize family theatricals and eventually took over the curacy of Steventon from his father. George did not develop normally and lived apart from the family. Edward won the approval of Thomas Knight, a distant (and wealthy) cousin of Mr. Austen, and was eventually adopted (1791) by him to become the heir of the Godmersham estate and other property. Progressing from militia to banking to clergy, Henry was Jane's literary advocate. The youngest two brothers Frank and Charles both found success in the Royal Navy which greatly bolstered the Austen family pride.
Beyond her immediate family, Jane had at least one very interesting cousin. Eliza Hancock was the daughter of George Austen's sister Philadelphia who had traveled to India as a young woman to find a husband and a future. She did find a husband – Tysoe Saul Hancock – and when they had made their fortune returned to England together. Unfortunately, their money did not last and Hancock returned to India where he died in 1775. Philadelphia took her daughter Eliza to France to finish her education and find her a wealthy French husband. War with America made travel between France and England difficult and Jane did not get to meet Eliza until 1787. Eliza had married Frenchman Jean-Francois Capot de Feuillide in 1781 and neither one was as wealthy as they appeared, but he did have property that he was endeavoring to improve. Once travel was possible, Eliza made regular trips between France and England and in 1789 she arrived in London just one month before the storming of the Bastille. By 1792 Feuillide had joined Eliza in London, but was threatened with the loss of his property if he did not return to France. He found his native land in turmoil and found it impossible to get away. Louis XVI was guillotined and soon a reign of terror gripped France. The count tried to make a defense for one of his neighbors who was falsely accused little realizing that justice was impossible. He was also arrested and introduced to le guillotine in February 1794. Eliza was left a widow with a small child.
As the war gained momentum, it claimed other casualties. When Casandra became engaged to Tom Fowle, he was a clergyman with hardly anything to live on. They would have to wait for marriage. For the promise of a good living, Tom accepted an appointment as military chaplain on a voyage to the West Indies. And when they expected his return, they received news of his demise from yellow fever instead. Jane described her sister's brave front, “My sister behaved with a degree of resolution and propriety which no common mind could evince in so trying a situation.”
Through these difficulties, Jane had begun writing stories. She liked to write short amusing stories that parodied the books she was reading. Her father saw the value in her creative efforts and encouraged her compositions. He gave her a leather bound notebook which bears his inscription: “Effusions of fancy by a very young lady, consisting of tales in a style entirely new” and for her 19th birthday in December 1794, he gave her a portable personal writing-desk. Within a year she began Elinor and Marianne which would become Sense and Sensibility and then First Impressions which became Pride and Prejudice. These were often read aloud to the family and caused a good deal of amusement. Her father was so pleased with First Impressions that he wrote to a publisher about it, but they expressed no interest.
In 1798, Edward came into possession of Godmersham, the Knight family estate. The Austen parents and daughters traveled to Kent to witness his new situation. While there, Jane began Susan a story inspired by a recent trip to Bath which would ultimately become Northanger Abby. They stayed several weeks and then left Cassandra at Godmersham to help with Edward and Elizabeth's new baby and headed home to Steventon.
Life in Steventon had many bennefits. “The house itself stood in a shallow valley, surrounded by sloping meadows, well sprinkled with elm trees, at the end of a small village of cottages, each well provided with a garden, scattered about prettily on either side of the road. It was sufficiently commodious to hold pupils in addition to a growing family, and was in those times considered to be above the average of parsonages.” (James Edward Austen-Leigh, A Memoir of Jane Austen, 1870). The Austens subscribed to a circulating library and enjoyed all kinds of books especially novels. There were pleasant visits with neighbors who had daughters with common interests. The Lloyd sisters Mary and Martha lived two miles away at Deane parsonage and Catherine and Alethea Bigg were six miles away at Manydown. Frequently, neighbors would organize a ball at someone's home or the assembly room in Basingstoke. Jane usually enjoyed these events and wrote to Cassandra in December 1798, “There were twenty dances, and I danced them all, and without any fatigue. I was glad to find myself capable of dancing so much, and with so much satisfaction as I did… .”
In December 1800, George Austen at 70 announced his decision to resign his church duties to his son James and move to Bath with wife and daughters. This would be a difficult adjustment for Jane who would be sacrificing her pianoforte, most of her books and her home of 25 years. Eventually she accepted the move and hoped to enjoy traveling to the seaside. In Bath they settled into No. 4 Sidney Place near Sydney Gardens. They traveled to Wales and several seaside locations, visited friends and made trips to Godmersham. In December 1802, Jane and Cassandra visited their friends Catherine and Alethea Bigg at Manydown near Steventon. During the visit their brother Harris asked Jane to marry him. Jane accepted his proposal, but during the night reconsidered and in the morning she broke the engagement. Jane and Cassandra cut their visit short. They were taken to Steventon rectory where James was entreated to take them back to Bath.
Jane now put her energy into revising Susan for publication and her father found a publisher. Although it was bought for 10£ in the Spring of 1803 and even advertised, Crosby & Son never actually printed it. Jane was pleased with the money, but wanted to see her work in print and to know if her work was appreciated.
After three and a half years, they found they could not afford to stay at Sidney Place and found more reasonably priced lodgings at No. 3 Green Park Buildings East in the lower and damper part of Bath in October 1804. Jane didn't have as much time to write while living in Bath and traveling so much, but she did work on The Watsons a novel which she never finished. The story, whose characters include a very sick father and daughters who must consider what they will do upon his death, must have seemed all too personal when George Austen became seriously ill in January 1805. Within 48 hours he was gone and with him Jane's most generous supporter.
Although her brothers each pitched in money to support them, they had to find cheaper and cheaper lodgings, first in Gay Street and then Trim Street. Finally, Frank who was recently married to Miss Mary Gibson invited them to live with Mary in Southampton so she would not be alone when he went to sea. Their friend Martha Lloyd had lost her mother and also came to live with them.
Their home in Southampton was at Castle Square with the river on one side and included a pleasant walled garden. The weather was harsh and the house seemed always to be cold and they had their share of problems – a blocked gutter that let water into the house and a crumbling chimney. The small house put stress on various family relationships. Mary was pregnant and uncomfortable. Brothers came to visit requiring extra effort and attention.
Elizabeth was expecting their eleventh child that Fall so Cassandra went to Godmersham in September 1808 to help during her confinement. The delivery went well, but a few days later Elizabeth suddenly took ill and died. Cassandra remained at Godmersham for six months to help with the children and household management.
Edward then offered them the use of Chawton Cottage located just 12 miles from Steventon where James was nearby. While Cassandra remained at Godmersham throughout that winter, Mrs Austen, Martha and Jane prepared for the move.
Before the move Jane wrote to Crosby and Son to find out what had happened to Susan the novel which she had sold to them a full six years ago for £10. She expressed her displeasure that it had not been published, offered to send them another copy if necessary and threatened to offer it to another publisher if she did not receive an explanation. And by using the name Mrs. Ashton Dennis she concluded with: “I am Gentlemen &c &c MAD” Their reply acknowledged her letter, denied any obligation to publish it and warned her against engaging another publisher. They did, however, offer to sell it back to her at the purchase price which, of course, she did not possess.
When they were settled at Chawton, Jane purchased a Pianoforte. She would practice every morning before breakfast and then prepare the tea and toast which was her contribution to the household duties. Chawton Cottage provided a secure home for her to continue writing. The others were kind enough not to load her down with housework so that spare moments to write were easier to find. Otherwise she might be sewing, walking with Cassandra to Alton to shop or visiting the Great House where Edward would occasionally come to manage his property in the area.
In the winter of 1810, Henry found a publisher for Sense and Sensibility. Thomas Egerton agreed to publish on commission, meaning at the author's expense. By the following spring Jane was staying with Henry in London, correcting proofs and enjoying herself very much. There were 750 copies printed of the first edition of Sense and Sensibility, but they were not available until October 1811.
"But finally on 30 October 1811 a newspaper called The Star drew readers’ attention to the new publication with an advert, and the next day the Morning Chronicle did the same. Contained in three volumes, and priced at fifteen shillings, sales of this intriguing new novel called Sense and Sensibility were boosted by a positive review that appeared in the Critical Review in February of 1812. It praised Jane’s characters for being ‘naturally drawn, and judiciously supported. The incidents are probable, and highly pleasing, and interesting … it reflects honour on the writer, who displays much knowledge of character, and very happily blends a great deal of common sense with the lighter matter of the piece.’" (Worsley, pg. 246)
While Jane waited to see how Sense and Sensibility would sell, she was revising Pride and Prejudice (originally First Impressions). Thomas Egerton bought the copyright for £110 in November of 1812 before Jane could know that Sense and Sensibility would earn her £140 and that the first edition would sell out by the summer of 1813. At least Pride and Prejudice found its way to publication quicker than Sense and Sensibility had – January 1813.
"The highly intelligent Annabella Milbanke, who would end up marrying Lord Byron, praised Pride and Prejudice for avoiding all ‘the common resources of novel writers, no drownings, no conflagrations, nor runaway horses, nor lap-dogs and parrots, nor chambermaids and milliners, nor recontres and disguises. I really think it is the most probable fiction I have ever read.’" (Worsley, pg. 257)
Mansfield Park was published in May 1814 by Thomas Egerton. It was advertised, but not reviewed and so Jane collected and listed the opinions of family and friends which varied greatly. Her brother Frank said:
"We certainly do not think it as a whole, equal to P. & P. – but it has many & great beauties. Fanny is a delightful Character! and Aunt Norris is a great favourite of mine. The Characters are natural & well supported, & many of the Dialogues excellent. – You need not fear the publication being considered as discreditable to the talents of its Author." (Le Faye, pg. 211)
The first edition of Mansfield Park was all sold within six months and Henry was wanting Jane back in London to settle about a second edition. Egerton would not agree to a second edition so when Emma was ready they offered it to John Murray of the Quarterly Review. Murray offered £450 for Emma, but wanted to have the copyright of Mansfield Park and Sense & Sensibility included. Henry refused this, but before the business was settled Henry became alarmingly ill, but he did find the strength to inform his doctor, who happened also to be the physician of the Prince Regent, that Jane was the author of Pride and Prejudice. The doctor informed them that the prince was a great admirer of her novels and kept a set in every one of his residences. She was invited to visit his opulent London residence Carlton House with a tour led by its librarian Mr. Clarke. During the visit, Mr. Clarke mentioned that if she had any other novel forthcoming she was at liberty to dedicate it to the Prince Regent. Jane had no intention of accepting the honor until she was advised that she should consider the permission as a command. Jane suggested a simple dedication: “Emma, Dedicated by Permission to H.R.H. The Prince Regent,” but Murray wanted something with more flourish and so Emma was dedicated: “To His Royal Highness, The Prince Regent. This work is, by his Royal Highness’s permission, most respectfully dedicated by His Royal Highness’s dutiful and obedient humble servant, The Author.” Murray printed 2000 copies and charged 21 shillings for the three volume set. Jane stayed in London to care for Henry until he recovered. Emma was published at the very end of December 1815 along with the second edition of Mansfield Park and the two competed with each other hurting the sales of both.
Having the income from four novels, Jane now had the money to buy Susan back from Crosby & Son who were very willing to receive back the £10 and to resign their claim to the copyright. Then Henry had the satisfaction of informing them that the work in question was by the author of Pride and Prejudice. Jane made a few revisions and changed the heroine's name to Catherine, but she began to feel weak and have fevers and bilious attacks and so it was put aside. She did have Persuasion ready for publication by August of 1816.
Jane's health improved somewhat the beginning of 1817 and she began working on Sanditon, but had to stop by March. Plans were made to take Jane the sixteen miles to Winchester to the surgeons there. They arrived May 24 and Cassandra stayed with her at No. 8, College Street and James' wife Mary also came to help. Jane had some good days, but gradually declined until July 18 when death finally relieved her suffering.
Northanger Abbey and Persuasion were published by John Murray in one edition and included a ‘Biographical Notice’ written by Henry Austen. Murray paid £500 for the copyright. In her lifetime Jane earned just over £650 from her writing.
Sources:
Byrne, Paula, The Real Jane Austen: A Life in Small Things. Harper Press, 2013.
Cecil, David, A Portrait of Jane Austen. Hill and Wang, 1978
Le Faye, Deirdre, Jane Austen: A Family Record. Cambridge University Press, 2004.
Le Faye, Deirdre, ed. Jane Austen's Letters. Oxford University Press, 2011.
Shields, Carol, Jane Austen: a Penguin Life. Viking, 2001.
Tomalin, Claire, Jane Austen, A Life. Knopf, 1997.
Worsley, Lucy, Jane Austen at Home. St Martins Press, 2017.
Jane Austen was born in Steventon, Hampshire, England on December 16, 1775 to George and Cassandra (Leigh) Austen. George was the rector at Steventon and part of the lesser gentry. He also farmed and ran a small school. Jane was the seventh of eight children and the second girl. Her family provided a rich environment of learning and creativity which eventually resulted in her six well loved novels.
Jane was especially close to her older sister Cassandra who she always considered smarter and more capable. Attending school for only a short time, Cassandra and Jane returned home to enjoy unlimited access to their father's excellent and diverse library. The Austins were a close family and maintained this connection even as Jane's brothers left home. James would organize family theatricals and eventually took over the curacy of Steventon from his father. George did not develop normally and lived apart from the family. Edward won the approval of Thomas Knight, a distant (and wealthy) cousin of Mr. Austen, and was eventually adopted (1791) by him to become the heir of the Godmersham estate and other property. Progressing from militia to banking to clergy, Henry was Jane's literary advocate. The youngest two brothers Frank and Charles both found success in the Royal Navy which greatly bolstered the Austen family pride.
Beyond her immediate family, Jane had at least one very interesting cousin. Eliza Hancock was the daughter of George Austen's sister Philadelphia who had traveled to India as a young woman to find a husband and a future. She did find a husband – Tysoe Saul Hancock – and when they had made their fortune returned to England together. Unfortunately, their money did not last and Hancock returned to India where he died in 1775. Philadelphia took her daughter Eliza to France to finish her education and find her a wealthy French husband. War with America made travel between France and England difficult and Jane did not get to meet Eliza until 1787. Eliza had married Frenchman Jean-Francois Capot de Feuillide in 1781 and neither one was as wealthy as they appeared, but he did have property that he was endeavoring to improve. Once travel was possible, Eliza made regular trips between France and England and in 1789 she arrived in London just one month before the storming of the Bastille. By 1792 Feuillide had joined Eliza in London, but was threatened with the loss of his property if he did not return to France. He found his native land in turmoil and found it impossible to get away. Louis XVI was guillotined and soon a reign of terror gripped France. The count tried to make a defense for one of his neighbors who was falsely accused little realizing that justice was impossible. He was also arrested and introduced to le guillotine in February 1794. Eliza was left a widow with a small child.
As the war gained momentum, it claimed other casualties. When Casandra became engaged to Tom Fowle, he was a clergyman with hardly anything to live on. They would have to wait for marriage. For the promise of a good living, Tom accepted an appointment as military chaplain on a voyage to the West Indies. And when they expected his return, they received news of his demise from yellow fever instead. Jane described her sister's brave front, “My sister behaved with a degree of resolution and propriety which no common mind could evince in so trying a situation.”
Through these difficulties, Jane had begun writing stories. She liked to write short amusing stories that parodied the books she was reading. Her father saw the value in her creative efforts and encouraged her compositions. He gave her a leather bound notebook which bears his inscription: “Effusions of fancy by a very young lady, consisting of tales in a style entirely new” and for her 19th birthday in December 1794, he gave her a portable personal writing-desk. Within a year she began Elinor and Marianne which would become Sense and Sensibility and then First Impressions which became Pride and Prejudice. These were often read aloud to the family and caused a good deal of amusement. Her father was so pleased with First Impressions that he wrote to a publisher about it, but they expressed no interest.
In 1798, Edward came into possession of Godmersham, the Knight family estate. The Austen parents and daughters traveled to Kent to witness his new situation. While there, Jane began Susan a story inspired by a recent trip to Bath which would ultimately become Northanger Abby. They stayed several weeks and then left Cassandra at Godmersham to help with Edward and Elizabeth's new baby and headed home to Steventon.
Life in Steventon had many bennefits. “The house itself stood in a shallow valley, surrounded by sloping meadows, well sprinkled with elm trees, at the end of a small village of cottages, each well provided with a garden, scattered about prettily on either side of the road. It was sufficiently commodious to hold pupils in addition to a growing family, and was in those times considered to be above the average of parsonages.” (James Edward Austen-Leigh, A Memoir of Jane Austen, 1870). The Austens subscribed to a circulating library and enjoyed all kinds of books especially novels. There were pleasant visits with neighbors who had daughters with common interests. The Lloyd sisters Mary and Martha lived two miles away at Deane parsonage and Catherine and Alethea Bigg were six miles away at Manydown. Frequently, neighbors would organize a ball at someone's home or the assembly room in Basingstoke. Jane usually enjoyed these events and wrote to Cassandra in December 1798, “There were twenty dances, and I danced them all, and without any fatigue. I was glad to find myself capable of dancing so much, and with so much satisfaction as I did… .”
In December 1800, George Austen at 70 announced his decision to resign his church duties to his son James and move to Bath with wife and daughters. This would be a difficult adjustment for Jane who would be sacrificing her pianoforte, most of her books and her home of 25 years. Eventually she accepted the move and hoped to enjoy traveling to the seaside. In Bath they settled into No. 4 Sidney Place near Sydney Gardens. They traveled to Wales and several seaside locations, visited friends and made trips to Godmersham. In December 1802, Jane and Cassandra visited their friends Catherine and Alethea Bigg at Manydown near Steventon. During the visit their brother Harris asked Jane to marry him. Jane accepted his proposal, but during the night reconsidered and in the morning she broke the engagement. Jane and Cassandra cut their visit short. They were taken to Steventon rectory where James was entreated to take them back to Bath.
Jane now put her energy into revising Susan for publication and her father found a publisher. Although it was bought for 10£ in the Spring of 1803 and even advertised, Crosby & Son never actually printed it. Jane was pleased with the money, but wanted to see her work in print and to know if her work was appreciated.
After three and a half years, they found they could not afford to stay at Sidney Place and found more reasonably priced lodgings at No. 3 Green Park Buildings East in the lower and damper part of Bath in October 1804. Jane didn't have as much time to write while living in Bath and traveling so much, but she did work on The Watsons a novel which she never finished. The story, whose characters include a very sick father and daughters who must consider what they will do upon his death, must have seemed all too personal when George Austen became seriously ill in January 1805. Within 48 hours he was gone and with him Jane's most generous supporter.
Although her brothers each pitched in money to support them, they had to find cheaper and cheaper lodgings, first in Gay Street and then Trim Street. Finally, Frank who was recently married to Miss Mary Gibson invited them to live with Mary in Southampton so she would not be alone when he went to sea. Their friend Martha Lloyd had lost her mother and also came to live with them.
Their home in Southampton was at Castle Square with the river on one side and included a pleasant walled garden. The weather was harsh and the house seemed always to be cold and they had their share of problems – a blocked gutter that let water into the house and a crumbling chimney. The small house put stress on various family relationships. Mary was pregnant and uncomfortable. Brothers came to visit requiring extra effort and attention.
Elizabeth was expecting their eleventh child that Fall so Cassandra went to Godmersham in September 1808 to help during her confinement. The delivery went well, but a few days later Elizabeth suddenly took ill and died. Cassandra remained at Godmersham for six months to help with the children and household management.
Edward then offered them the use of Chawton Cottage located just 12 miles from Steventon where James was nearby. While Cassandra remained at Godmersham throughout that winter, Mrs Austen, Martha and Jane prepared for the move.
Before the move Jane wrote to Crosby and Son to find out what had happened to Susan the novel which she had sold to them a full six years ago for £10. She expressed her displeasure that it had not been published, offered to send them another copy if necessary and threatened to offer it to another publisher if she did not receive an explanation. And by using the name Mrs. Ashton Dennis she concluded with: “I am Gentlemen &c &c MAD” Their reply acknowledged her letter, denied any obligation to publish it and warned her against engaging another publisher. They did, however, offer to sell it back to her at the purchase price which, of course, she did not possess.
When they were settled at Chawton, Jane purchased a Pianoforte. She would practice every morning before breakfast and then prepare the tea and toast which was her contribution to the household duties. Chawton Cottage provided a secure home for her to continue writing. The others were kind enough not to load her down with housework so that spare moments to write were easier to find. Otherwise she might be sewing, walking with Cassandra to Alton to shop or visiting the Great House where Edward would occasionally come to manage his property in the area.
In the winter of 1810, Henry found a publisher for Sense and Sensibility. Thomas Egerton agreed to publish on commission, meaning at the author's expense. By the following spring Jane was staying with Henry in London, correcting proofs and enjoying herself very much. There were 750 copies printed of the first edition of Sense and Sensibility, but they were not available until October 1811.
"But finally on 30 October 1811 a newspaper called The Star drew readers’ attention to the new publication with an advert, and the next day the Morning Chronicle did the same. Contained in three volumes, and priced at fifteen shillings, sales of this intriguing new novel called Sense and Sensibility were boosted by a positive review that appeared in the Critical Review in February of 1812. It praised Jane’s characters for being ‘naturally drawn, and judiciously supported. The incidents are probable, and highly pleasing, and interesting … it reflects honour on the writer, who displays much knowledge of character, and very happily blends a great deal of common sense with the lighter matter of the piece.’" (Worsley, pg. 246)
While Jane waited to see how Sense and Sensibility would sell, she was revising Pride and Prejudice (originally First Impressions). Thomas Egerton bought the copyright for £110 in November of 1812 before Jane could know that Sense and Sensibility would earn her £140 and that the first edition would sell out by the summer of 1813. At least Pride and Prejudice found its way to publication quicker than Sense and Sensibility had – January 1813.
"The highly intelligent Annabella Milbanke, who would end up marrying Lord Byron, praised Pride and Prejudice for avoiding all ‘the common resources of novel writers, no drownings, no conflagrations, nor runaway horses, nor lap-dogs and parrots, nor chambermaids and milliners, nor recontres and disguises. I really think it is the most probable fiction I have ever read.’" (Worsley, pg. 257)
Mansfield Park was published in May 1814 by Thomas Egerton. It was advertised, but not reviewed and so Jane collected and listed the opinions of family and friends which varied greatly. Her brother Frank said:
"We certainly do not think it as a whole, equal to P. & P. – but it has many & great beauties. Fanny is a delightful Character! and Aunt Norris is a great favourite of mine. The Characters are natural & well supported, & many of the Dialogues excellent. – You need not fear the publication being considered as discreditable to the talents of its Author." (Le Faye, pg. 211)
The first edition of Mansfield Park was all sold within six months and Henry was wanting Jane back in London to settle about a second edition. Egerton would not agree to a second edition so when Emma was ready they offered it to John Murray of the Quarterly Review. Murray offered £450 for Emma, but wanted to have the copyright of Mansfield Park and Sense & Sensibility included. Henry refused this, but before the business was settled Henry became alarmingly ill, but he did find the strength to inform his doctor, who happened also to be the physician of the Prince Regent, that Jane was the author of Pride and Prejudice. The doctor informed them that the prince was a great admirer of her novels and kept a set in every one of his residences. She was invited to visit his opulent London residence Carlton House with a tour led by its librarian Mr. Clarke. During the visit, Mr. Clarke mentioned that if she had any other novel forthcoming she was at liberty to dedicate it to the Prince Regent. Jane had no intention of accepting the honor until she was advised that she should consider the permission as a command. Jane suggested a simple dedication: “Emma, Dedicated by Permission to H.R.H. The Prince Regent,” but Murray wanted something with more flourish and so Emma was dedicated: “To His Royal Highness, The Prince Regent. This work is, by his Royal Highness’s permission, most respectfully dedicated by His Royal Highness’s dutiful and obedient humble servant, The Author.” Murray printed 2000 copies and charged 21 shillings for the three volume set. Jane stayed in London to care for Henry until he recovered. Emma was published at the very end of December 1815 along with the second edition of Mansfield Park and the two competed with each other hurting the sales of both.
Having the income from four novels, Jane now had the money to buy Susan back from Crosby & Son who were very willing to receive back the £10 and to resign their claim to the copyright. Then Henry had the satisfaction of informing them that the work in question was by the author of Pride and Prejudice. Jane made a few revisions and changed the heroine's name to Catherine, but she began to feel weak and have fevers and bilious attacks and so it was put aside. She did have Persuasion ready for publication by August of 1816.
Jane's health improved somewhat the beginning of 1817 and she began working on Sanditon, but had to stop by March. Plans were made to take Jane the sixteen miles to Winchester to the surgeons there. They arrived May 24 and Cassandra stayed with her at No. 8, College Street and James' wife Mary also came to help. Jane had some good days, but gradually declined until July 18 when death finally relieved her suffering.
Northanger Abbey and Persuasion were published by John Murray in one edition and included a ‘Biographical Notice’ written by Henry Austen. Murray paid £500 for the copyright. In her lifetime Jane earned just over £650 from her writing.
Sources:
Byrne, Paula, The Real Jane Austen: A Life in Small Things. Harper Press, 2013.
Cecil, David, A Portrait of Jane Austen. Hill and Wang, 1978
Le Faye, Deirdre, Jane Austen: A Family Record. Cambridge University Press, 2004.
Le Faye, Deirdre, ed. Jane Austen's Letters. Oxford University Press, 2011.
Shields, Carol, Jane Austen: a Penguin Life. Viking, 2001.
Tomalin, Claire, Jane Austen, A Life. Knopf, 1997.
Worsley, Lucy, Jane Austen at Home. St Martins Press, 2017.