Jane Austen

Jane Austen was born in Steventon on December 16, 1775. Jane Austen was the second daughter of George Austen and Cassandra Austen (nee Leigh). She was educated at the Abbey School from 1785 until 1786. She was very close to her older sister, Cassandra Austen. Jane and Cassandra were the only sisters in their family and were best friends. Both girls often traveled to visit their brothers' families and friends. This occasioned much correspondence between the two even though they actually lived together for their entire lives. Jane was in love with an Irish man, Tom Lefroy, but his uncle, who financed Tom Lefroy's education, disapproved of the match. Jane remained unmarried and lived with her parents and sister, Cassandra. In 1801, the Austens moved to Bath when Rev. George Austen decided to retire. He died in 1805, and his wife and daughters moved to Southampton in 1806. In 1809, Edward Knight, the richest of...