A Memoir of Jane Austen

With an introduction by Dr Sally Minogue Jane Austen's nephew James knew her fondly as Aunt Jane when he was a child, attended her funeral in Winchester Cathedral as a young man, and wrote this memoir of her some 50 years after her death, as her fame was growing. He could not have imaged Austen's immense importance as a writer, and the curiosity about her, in today's world. That is part of the charm of James Austen-Leigh's memoir, which remains the touchstone for all later biographers. He highlights Jane's special relationship with sister Cassandra, through her letters. He shows that her writing fell into two distinct periods of creativity with a barren patch in between. An amusing passage reveals the admiration of the Prince Regent for her work, and the irony of her response. This is a touching personal account from one who actually knew this great writer of our time. It includes the fascinating cancelled chapter of Persuasion, and is accompanied by the full text of The Watsons, Lady Susan and Sanditon.

With an introduction by Dr Sally Minogue. Jane Austen's nephew James knew her fondly as Aunt Jane when he was a child, attended her funeral in Winchester Cathedral as a young man, and wrote this memoir of her some 50 years after her death, as her fame was growing. He could not have imaged Austen's immense importance as a writer, and the curiosity about her, in today's world. That is part of the charm of James Austen-Leigh's memoir, which remains the touchstone for all later biographers. He highlights Jane's special relationship with sister Cassandra, through her letters. He shows that her writing fell into two distinct periods of creativity with a barren patch in between. An amusing passage reveals the admiration of the Prince Regent for her work, and the irony of her response. This is a touching personal account from one who actually knew this great writer of our time. It includes the fascinating cancelled chapter of Persuasion, and is accompanied by the full text of The Watsons, Lady Susan and Sanditon.

'I doubt whether it would be possible to mention any author of note, whose personal obscurity was so complete.' James Edward Austen-Leigh's Memoir of his aunt Jane Austen was published in 1870, over fifty years after her death. Together with the shorter recollections of James Edward's two sisters, Anna Lefroy and Caroline Austen, the Memoir remains the prime authority for her life and continues to inform all subsequent accounts. These are family memories, the record of Jane Austen's life shaped and limited by the loyalties, reserve, and affection of nieces and nephews recovering in old age the outlines of the young aunt they had each known. They still remembered the shape of her bonnet and the tone of her voice, and their first-hand accounts bring her vividly before us. Their declared partiality also raises fascinating issues concerning biographical truth, and the terms in which all biography functions. This edition brings together for the first time these three memoirs, and also includes Jane's brother Henry Austen's 'Biographical Notice' of 1818 and his lesser known 'Memoir' of 1833, making a unique biographical record. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

'I doubt whether it would be possible to mention any author of note, whose personal obscurity was so complete.' James Edward Austen-Leigh's Memoir of his aunt Jane Austen was published in 1870, over fifty years after her death. Together with the shorter recollections of James Edward's two sisters, Anna Lefroy and Caroline Austen, the Memoir remains the prime authority for her life and continues to inform all subsequent accounts. These are family memories, the record of Jane Austen's life shaped and limited by the loyalties, reserve, and affection of nieces and nephews recovering in old age the outlines of the young aunt they had each known. They still remembered the shape of her bonnet and the tone of her voice, and their first-hand accounts bring her vividly before us. Their declared partiality also raises fascinating issues concerning biographical truth, and the terms in which all biography functions. This edition brings together for the first time these three memoirs, and also includes Jane's brother Henry Austen's 'Biographical Notice' of 1818 and his lesser known 'Memoir' of 1833, making a unique biographical record. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.