Jane Austen Biography

Jane Austen was a major English novelist, who first gave the novel its modern character through the treatment of everyday life. Although Austen was widely read in her lifetime, she published her works anonymously.

Jane Austen was born on 16 December, 1775, at the rectory in the village of Steventon, near Basingstoke, in Hampshire. The seventh of eight children of the Reverend George Austen and his wife, Cassandra, she was educated mainly at home and never lived apart from her family. 

She had a happy childhood amongst all her brothers and the other boys who lodged with the family and whom Mr. Austen tutored. Even as a little girl Jane was encouraged to write. The reading that she did of the books in her father's extensive library provided material for the short satirical sketches she wrote as a girl. 

Quotes:

In nine cases out of ten, a woman had better show more affection than she feels.

With men he can be rational and unaffected, but when he has ladies to please, every feature works.

For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?

Let other pens dwell on guilt and misery.

There is safety in reserve, but no attraction. One cannot love a reserved person.

Human nature is so well disposed towards those who are in interesting situations, that a young person, who either marries or dies, is sure of being kindly spoken of.

An engaged woman is always more agreeable than a disengaged. She is satisfied with herself. Her cares are over, and she feels that she may exert all her powers of pleasing without suspicion. All is safe with a lady engaged; no harm can be done.