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Winchester Cathedral where Jane is buried
Jane Austen died in her sister's arms in the early hours of 18 July, 1817. She was 41 years old. Cassandra kept a vigil by her bedside and held Jane's head on a pillow on her lap until she breathed her last.
Cassandra was not present at Jane's funeral because women were not allowed to attend funerals at that time
Cassandra wrote of her sister: "I have lost a treasure, such a sister, such a friend as never can have been surpassed. She was the sun of my life, the gilder of every pleasure, the soother of every sorrow; I had not a thought concealed from her, and it is as if I had lost a part of myself"
The real Tom Lefroy
Jane knew sign language. Her brother George was believed to be deaf and mute and it was written that Jane was fluent in "finger speaking"
Due to the status of women authors at the time, most of Jane's novels were published anonymously and although her novels received favorable reviews, she was not celebrated as an author during her lifetime.
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Jane's nephews description of Jane: "In person she was very attractive; her figure was rather tall and slender, her step light and firm, and her whole appearance expressive of health and animation. In complexion she was a clear brunette with a rich colour; she had full round cheeks, with mouth and nose small and well formed, bright hazel eyes, and brown hair forming natural curls close round her face. Jane herself was fond of music, and had a sweet voice, both in singing and in conversation; in her youth she had received some instruction on the pianoforte. She read French with facility, and knew something of Italian. She was as ready to comfort the unhappy, or to nurse the sick, as she was to laugh and jest with the light-hearted"
Her niece recalled: "As a very little girl I was always creeping up to aunt Jane, and following her whenever I could, in the house and out of it. Her first charm to children was great sweetness of manner. She seemed to love you, and you loved her in return. She could make everything amusing to a child. Then, as I got older, when cousins came to share the entertainment, she would tell us the most delightful stories, chiefly of Fairyland, and her fairies had all characters of their own. The tale was invented, I am sure, at the moment, and was continued for two or three days, if occasion served"
It was also said: "Jane was successful in everything that she attempted with her fingers. Writing was not the only part of her letters which showed superior handiwork. In those days there was an art in folding and sealing. Some people's letters always looked loose and untidy; but her paper was sure to take the right folds, and her sealing- wax to drop into the right place. Her needlework both plain and ornamental was excellent, and might almost have put a sewing machine to shame. She was considered especially great in satin stitch. She spent much time in these occupations, and some of her merriest talk was over clothes which she and her companions were making, sometimes for themselves, and sometimes for the poor"
The Real Jane Austen - 2002 - BBC Television
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Part Six
Part Seven
Part Eight
Jane wrote the following:
Pride and Prejudice
Sense and Sensibility
Emma
Mansfield Park
Persuasion
Northanger Abbey
Lady Susan
Sandition and The Watsons