Northanger Abbey

Jane Austen, born on December 16, 1775, in Steventon, Hampshire, was the seventh of eight children in a close-knit family. Her father, Reverend George Austen, served as the rector of the local Anglican parish, providing a stimulating intellectual environment. Austen's education was primarily conducted at home, supplemented by brief formal schooling, fostering her early passion for reading and writing. In her early twenties, Austen began crafting novels that offered keen insights into the British landed gentry of the late 18th century. Her works, including Sense & Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), and Emma (1815), are celebrated for their wit, social commentary, and exploration of women's dependence on marriage for social standing and economic security. Despite the enduring popularity of her novels, Austen published them anonymously during her lifetime, gaining modest recognition. Austen's health began to decline in early 1816, leading to her death on July 18, 1817, at the age of 41. The exact cause of her illness remains uncertain, with theories ranging from Addison's disease to Hodgkin's lymphoma. Posthumously, her novels have garnered immense acclaim, solidifying her status as one of the most influential figures in English literature.