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Jane Austen was born in England on December 16, 1775 to Reverend George Austen and his wife Cassandra. She was the seventh child of eight.
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It is likely that Jane began her first novel, Sense and Sensibility in 1795 under the title “Elinor and Marianne,” written as a novel-in-letters and named for the novel's heroines.
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In 1801, Jane's father retired and moved his family to Bath.
In 1804, Jane's dearest friend, Mrs. Anne Lefroy died.
In 1805, Jane's father, George, died suddenly.
Finally in 1809, Jane's brother was able to provide his mother and sisters with a permanent residence. -
It is believed that at this time Jane agreed to marry Harris Bigg-Wither, the 21-year-old heir of a Hampshire family, but changed her mind rather quickly. With most of her writings being about love and love lost, it is speculated that she likely lost a lover.
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Mansfield Park was published in 1814, though anonymously.
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Austen suffered from Addison disease for nearly 18 months. She made her will in April of 1817, and shortly after was moved to another town to be under the care of an expert surgeon. She died on July 18th and was buried in Winchester Cathedral.
