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American Revolutionary War begins
Other History in JA's time The war between Great Britain and 13 of its former North American colonies embarks. They're fighting for the independence of the United States of America. -
The Birth of a Legend
JA Timeline Jane Austen was born in Steventon, Hampshire, England, to George and Cassandra Austen. She is the 7th child and second daughter following her brothers James, George, Charles, Francis, Henry, Edward and her sister, Cassandra. -
US Declaration of Independence
Other History in JA's life While at war with Great Britain, the Continental Congress adopted this statement, declaring that the 13 American colonies were now 13 newly independent sovereign states. -
American Revolutions comes to an end
Other History in JA's time The British forces are defeated in the Battle of Yorktown, giving America their independence. -
Treaty of Paris
Other History in JA's life The Treaty was signed by representatives of Great Britain and the United States of America, officially ending the American Revolutionary War of Independence. -
Committee for the Abolition of Slave Trade forms in Britain
Other History in JA's life 12 men came together in a printing shop in London, England, to bring awareness on the abuses of the slave trade to the public. -
Jane begins writing short stories and poems
JA Timeline Sometime in 1787, when she was 11 years old, Jane begins to write short stories and poems that are later referred to as "Juvenilia," her early works. -
First edition of "The Times" newspaper is published
Other History in JA's life "The Times" is a daily, national British newspaper. It was the first newspaper to use the title "Times" and has lent it to numerous newspapers across the world. -
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Regency Crisis
Other History in JA's life King George III of Great Britain has a mental illness, causing a crisis in the country. -
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Jane decides to become a writer
JA Timeline At the tender age of 14, Jane makes the conscious choice to write-for-profit and become a professional writer. -
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French Revolution
Other History in JA's life The French Revolution overthrew the monarchy, established a republic, and saw the rise of Napoleon. -
Jane writes "Lady Susan"
JA Timeline It is unclear what is the exact date, but it is believed that around this time, Jane began working on her most ambitious and sophisticated early work, "Lady Susan," a short epistolary novel. -
Jane finds her Prince Charming... temporarily
JA Timeline Sometime in December 1795, Jane falls in love with Tom Lefroy, a young Irish gentleman who will soon start training to become a barrister. The romance is broken up by both families in January 1796 due to their lack of money. -
Jane begins working on her most famous work
JA Timeline After her heartache from Tom Lefroy, Jane begins writing the English classic, "First Impressions," later renamed "Pride and Prejudice." Completes her work on it in 1797. -
1st try at getting Jane's work published
JA Timeline Jane's father, George, attempts to have her work published, but the publisher, Thomas Cadell, denies it. -
The completion of "Sense and Sensibility"
JA Timeline Having started on it since 1795, sometime in 1798, Jane finishes her revisions on "Elinor and Marianne," now known as "Sense and Sensibility."
In the same year, Jane also begins writing "Northanger Abbey." She continues working on it and revises it in 1799. -
The Act of Union creates the United Kingdom
Other History in JA's life The Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kindom of Ireland united to create the the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. -
One and Only Proposal
JA Timeline At the age of 26, Jane is proposed to by Harris Bigg-Wither, an Oxford educated, unattractive gentleman who comes from a wealthy family. Jane accepts the offer, but the very next day she withdraws her acceptance. She wants to marry for love and not for money. -
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Napoleonic Wars
Other History in JA's life The wars consisted of a series of major conflicts between the French Empire and an array of European powers. The Treaty of Paris officially brought an end to this war era. -
Napoleon becomes emperor of the French
Other History in JA's life Napoleon was granted the title of Emperor of the French and crowned on December 2 of that year. -
Jane's father unexpectedly dies
JA Timeline Jane's father, George, dies suddenly from an illness. Left without any income, Jane's brothers agree to support Jane, Cassandra, and their mother, Cassandra. -
Slave Trade Act of 1807
Other History in JA's life The Parliament of the United Kingdom passed this Act to abolish the slave trade in the British Empire. -
Jane's work is accepted for publishing
JA Timeline One of Jane's work, "Sense and Sensibility," is accepted for publishing by Thomas Egerton. -
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Regency Era
Other History in JA's life When King George III was seen as unfit to continue ruling, his son, the Prince of Wales, ruled as Prince Regency. In 1820, upon the death of George III, Prince Regency became King George IV. -
Work begins on "Mansfield Park"
JA Timeline Jane begins working on another classic, "Mansfield Park." -
Jane finally becomes a published author
JA Timeline With her brother, Henry Austen, as her literary agent, "Sense and Sensibility" is published to favorable reviews. -
Thomas Egerton decides on publishing "Mansfield Park"
JA Timeline Having finished working on the novel by June of that year, another one of Jane's work will be published by the same publisher as "Sense and Sensibility" and "Pride and Prejudice." -
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War of 1812: USA against Great Britain
Other History in JA's life The war resolved many of the issues that had remained from the American Revolutionary War; no boundaries were changed. -
"Pride and Prejudice" copyrights are bought
JA Timeline Jane spent most of the year revising "First Impressions," or as we now know it, "Pride and Prejudice." Once again, Thomas Egerton buys the copywrites to the novel. -
"Pride and Prejudice" hits bookshelves
JA Timeline "Pride and Prejudice" becomes an instant success! A second edition is printed in October of the same year. -
"Mansfield Park" becomes Jane's most profitable work
JA Timeline Published by Thomas Egerton on this date, the first edition of "Mansfield Park" is sold out within its first 6 months! -
"Emma" is completed
JA Timeline After working on the novel for over a year, Jane completes "Emma" and travles to London with her brother/agent, Henry, to negotiate with famed publisher, John Murray, on publishing it. -
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The meeting of Prince Regent and Jane
JA Timeline Prince Regent's librarian invites Jane to admire the Prince's London residence at Carolton House. During the visit, Prince Regent suggests to Jane, much to her dismay, that she write a dedication to him in her next work. She reluctantly agrees. -
"Emma" is published
JA Timeline "Emma" is published by John Murray to good reviews and sales. She dedicates this work to Prince Regent. -
No earnings from "Emma" for Jane
JA Timeline A second edition of "Mansfield Park" was published in January by John Murray. Sales weren't good and so Jane is denied the earnings of "Emma" the following month. -
Declining health... but manages to finish "Persuasion"
JA Timeline Earlier in the year, Jane's health begins to decline. She ignores it at first and continues working on the novel, dispite her worsening condition. She finishes the first draft in July and finishes the revisions by August. -
The End of a Legend
JA Timeline By April 1817, Jane's health has worsened and she is confined to her bed. She writes a short will and 3 months later, she dies in Winchester at the age of 41. -
Jane is laid to rest
JA Timeline Jane Austen is buried in an aisle of the nave in Winchester Cathedral. -
"Northanger Abbey" and "Persuasion" are published posthumously
JA Timeline In the direction of Jane's brother and sister, Henry and Cassandra, John Murray publishes both novels as a set. Henry writes a biographical note revealing for the first time that the author of these novels was Jane Austen. Sales for the novels start off strong, but soon decline. -
Unsold copies are destroyed
JA Timeline Sometime in 1820, three years after Jane's death, John Murray destroys the remaining, unsold copies of "Northanger Abbey" and "Persuasion." -
Jane's work is republished and never goes unpublished again
JA Timeline In late 1832, Richard Bentley purchases the remaining copyrights to Jane's work. With no publication of her work in over 12 years, Jane's novels are republished once again in a collection known as "Standard Novels." -
Jane Austen's Legacy
JA Timeline Jane's nephew, James Austen, publishes his memoirs titled, "A Memoir of the Life of Jane Austen." The publication attracts a greater audience, turning her life and work into a literary legacy.
