Tag Archives: Jane Austen

January 12, 2026

Jane Austen Timeline

By ritalovestowrite

Jane Austen

Jane Austen turned 250 in December! Happy Birthday girl! There were hundreds of celebrations around the world to honor the author, including the Jane Austen Society of North America’s Annual General Meeting in October in Baltimore.

As a member of JASNA, Maryland I helped plan that meeting, and one of the things I did was create a timeline of Austen’s life.

Jane Austen Timeline

Recently I was asked to speak about how I created the timeline.

[If you are interested in that talk or seeing the slideshow from it… send me a note below.]

Then I started thinking about how this would be a more useful tool not as a physical timeline, but as an online resource … and I created a Google Slideshow version of the timeline itself.

As you can see the timeline begins with the birth of her father, George Austen in 1731. It progresses thru the birth of all her mother and all her siblings.

The next slide shows her early life in Steventon. Things Jane wrote are below the line and get a dark purple dot. Things above the line include important events in the family, like Edward’s “adoption”, marriages (yellow), and deaths (red). When Jane’s father moved with the ladies to Bath, the location line changes color to orange.

The third slide shows the publication dates of her novels in dark purple below the line. Above the line we get more family business. Alas, Jane’s death is noted about halfway across the slide. But her legacy lives on… and so the timeline continues.

Slide four again show books below the line. Books about Jane, like her nephew James Edward Austen-Leigh’s biography with a gray dot, and second editions of Jane’s books with lighter purple dots. While above the line we see that the red dots continue as her siblings and friends die.

In the fifth slide we see more editions below the line and our first media adaption with a play in 1935. Above the line is now devoted to important events and people that shaped what is now JASNA and the world of Janeites.

In slide six the plethora of media adaptations begin to take hold on Jane’s legacy. The first television adaptation took place in 1938! Above the line we see that Jane Austen’s House, the cottage in Chawton where she finished her “big six” opened as a museum in 1949. We also see that JASNA began in 1979.

You can see in slide seven how 1995 was the year that Jane Austen exploded on the popular scene. With movies and television series regularly delighting viewers for the next several decades. In 2012 the VLOGosphere entered the fray with The Lizzie Bennet Diaries that brought the Bennet sisters to Southern California and whole new audience to Austen’s books.

And on it goes with new plays, TV and movie adaptions bringing us into Austen’s 250th.

[If you are interested in seeing the full slideshow / timeline send me a note below.]

Throughout the slideshow you’ll be able to click on the tags at the bottom of the photos and link to more information about what interest you.

This blog and the Jane Austen timeline is free to use, but remains the intellectual property of the creator. The images on the timeline are property of the institutions indicated by their links. Permission is NOT given to copy the images or the timeline with out express permission. Thank you.

1 Comment   |  tags: , , , , , | posted in Jane Austen, Thought of the Day

April 10, 2015

March Madness, Jane Austen Style… Finis

By ritalovestowrite

Much like MARCH (the month) our little experiment in the madness of brackets has come to an end. The reader’s have voted and we have the winners!

Austen March Madness both sides6As  you can see the Colonel and Lizzie came in first in their respective categories.  Hat’s off to Miss Elizabeth, who garnered all the votes from the ladies final bracket. Brandon had some competition from Knightley, but he was the winner by a large, manly margin.

Brandon and LizzieThis March Madness, Jane Austen Style Bracket has always been a purely academic exercise. Austen never intended for characters from different books to get together.  But I couldn’t sleep last night, and as the hours began to trickle away and dawn refused to come I started to think about this impossible (dark) mash-up.

What if…

Marianne never recovers from her fever? Despite Elinor and Col. Brandon’s best attentions she dies at Cleveland?

David Morrisey played Brandon in 2008.

David Morrisey played Brandon in 2008.

  • Edward still becomes Rector at Delaford .
  • Lucy still marries his brother, leaving him to…
  • finally proclaim his love for Elinor.

Robert Swann played Brandon in 1981

Robert Swann played Brandon in 1981

They marry and the Colonel generously sets up Mrs. Dashwood and Margaret in a house closer to town and the newlyweds so the remaining family members can live in closer proximity. This leaves Barton cottage empty.

Richard Owens played Brandon in 1971

Richard Owens played Brandon in 1971

Which is good… because what if…

Kiera Knightly played Lizzie in 2005.

Kiera Knightly played Lizzie in 2005.

Lydia runs off with Wickham a week earlier than she did in the novel. Jane’s panicked letter to Elizabeth arrives at the Inn at Lampton BEFORE Lizzie and the Gardiners  have a chance to tour Pemberly.

Elizabeth Garvey played Lizzie in 1980.

Elizabeth Garvey played Lizzie in 1980.

She doesn’t see Darcy’s beautiful house, or, more importantly his altered behavior (or — as in the BBC version — his wet shirt.)  Darcy and Elizabeth’s friendship and romance doesn’t have a chance to kindle. And she and the Gardiners leave immediately for Longbourn. (Darcy doesn’t learn of the ‘elopement’ for weeks when the details have become grist for the rumor mill. By then it is too late for him to find the lovers.)

Greer Garson played Elizabeth in 1940.

Greer Garson played Elizabeth in 1940.

Mr. Bennet goes looking for Lydia and Wickham, which results in one of these possibilities…

  1.  He finds them, and as Mrs. Bennet sagely predicted, he duels with the rascal and dies.
  2.  He can’t find them and his frequent trips away from his man cave to London, Gretna Green and points north prove too strenuous for him. He dies of a heart attack.

This leaves Mrs. Bennet and the remaining girls in a very undesirable position.

  • Their reputation is ruined. (THANKS LYDIA!)
  • They must leave the Longbourn.
  • And they have very little money to live on.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in 2005's Bride and Prejudice.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in 2005’s Bride and Prejudice.

Of course the Gardiners take them in, but that proves a VERY temporary fix. (Can you imagine putting up with Mrs. Bennet’s flutterings?)   Mr. Gardiner uses his business connections to put out feelers for a reasonably priced home in the county, far enough away from town that their reputation might be over looked.

He finds a 3 bedroom cottage near Barton Village. It is a little less roomy than Longbourn, but the cottage would have much comfort and much elegance about it. The Bennets move in in the Spring.

Lizzie, who is fond of long walks, finds herself trespassing on the grounds of Delaford…

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This blog post has been interrupted by the hostile take over by Pemberly Digital.

Because, really… everybody KNOWS Mr. Darcy should have won.

Daniel Vincent Gordh and Ashley Clements played Darcy and Lizzie in the Emmy Award Winning Lizzie Bennet Diaries in 2013/14.

Daniel Vincent Gordh and Ashley Clements played Darcy and Lizzie in the Emmy Award Winning Lizzie Bennet Diaries in 2013/14.

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April 2, 2015

March Madness: Jane Austen Style, round five– Men’s Semi-Finals

By ritalovestowrite

basketball court copyThe action was fast and furious on the court this week as the LADIES Darling Dozen bracket narrowed down to the favorite character for each Austen novel. As with the gentlemen, there were no real surprises in this bunch.  Here’s how we currently stand…

Austen March Madness both sides4

Now the competition gets REALLY hard as you have to get all inter-book and pick your fave between…

  • Brandon and Darcy (good luck there)
  • Edmund and Knightly (ugggghhhh!)
  • Henry and Benwick (hmmmm)

BAsketball hoop-- men

You have until Thursday at 6:00 pm EST to get in your votes.

Jane ball

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3 Comments   |  tags: , , , | posted in Thought of the Day

March 28, 2015

March Madness: Jane Austen Style, round three– MEN’S Sweet Dozen

By ritalovestowrite

The results are in for the ladies in for round two.

cheerleader

We may have had a few surprises here (look at the first selection for Emma) but over all not too surprising.

Austen March Madness both sides

Now things get a little harder as we choose are top favorite for each book in the male category. Are you a Brandon fan or do you pledge your heart to Edward?

Jane ball

Get your picks to me by Sunday at 6:00 pm EST to be counted in the tally.

Austen Jersey[Wondering why I picked Austen 13? Brownie points to any one who can guess.)

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March 25, 2015

March Madness JANE AUSTEN style Round two… the ladies

By ritalovestowrite

Austen JerseyAfter an exciting first round in the men’s division it is time to turn our attention to the ladies. Same deal, pick your favorite character from the pairings (you’ll come up with two characters from each book).

Below you’ll find the revised bracket showing the winners for the first round.

Austen M M both 2 [Frankly, we didn’t have a lot of participation on this, but I’m committed to going all the way to the final buzzer on this, so get those votes in. Jane — and I — are counting on you!]

Jane ballLastly… Maggie reminded me that Mansfield Park’s Pug was probably a female dog, but, as she had puppies and one of them was surely a male,  the bracket stands.

Pug

1 Comment   |  tags: , | posted in Thought of the Day

October 3, 2013

OHG (Obstinate Headstrong Girl)

By ritalovestowrite

I know this will be kind of a shocker for some of you… but I’m a big Jane Austen fan. And one of my favorite moments from her most popular book, Pride and Prejudice, is when Lady Catherine calls Elizabeth an “Obstinate headstrong girl.”

I suspect Jane was bit on the OHG side herself. (She’d have to be to remain single for her art until she well past her prime. Oh, she had offers, thank you very much. But in the end it was the romance of word on paper that won her heart.)

So today I’m dedicating ritaLOVEStoWRITE to the phrase and to the women, like Jane, who live(d) by it.

flat,550x550,075,f

[Image courtesy: Redbubble.com]

Art work by Yardia [available on Etsy.com]

Art work by Yardia [available on Etsy.com]

Handmade note cards from Turtle Dove [available on Etsy.com]

Handmade note cards from Turtle Dove [available on Etsy.com]

Travel mug available on Cafe Press.

Travel mug available on Cafe Press.

Another sketch for sale by Yardia on Etsy.com

Another sketch for sale by Yardia on Etsy.com

Cover of "Pride and Prejudice (Graphic No...

Cover of Pride and Prejudice (Graphic Novel)

Lady Catherine confronts Elizabeth about Darcy...

Lady Catherine confronts Elizabeth about Darcy, on the title page of the first illustrated edition. This is the other of the first two illustrations of the novel. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

2 Comments   |  tags: , , , | posted in Jane Austen, JASNA, postaday, Pride and Prejudice, Thought of the Day

September 30, 2013

Knitting with Jane Austen

By ritalovestowrite

Making Stockings

I love when  two  worlds collide.

So when I had the chance to organize a Jane Austen Knit Day with the good folks at Black Sheep Yarn Shop I jumped at  it.

JANE AUSTEN

and

KNITTING!

What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday Afternoon!

In preparation for the day I did a little research into who would be knitting during the regency period. Which of Austen’s heroine’s would pick up a set of needles I wondered.

Lizzie, we know, picked up a little needle work  while stuck in the drawing-room at Neitherfield Park. Could she have been knitting? I can see her whipping up a scarf or stockings much more readily than I can see Caroline or Mrs. Hurst doing so.

lady knitting lace

Ladies who enjoyed a certain income would pay for their knit wear, so if Emma ever picked up a pair of needles it was for her enjoyment, or for charity. She never had to learn a Kitchener stitch or how to turn a heal. THAT is something I think Harriet could have taught HER.

Fanny Price on the other hand probably had a little knitting basket to keep her hands busy — when she wasn’t running errands  for  Aunt Norris or Aunt Bertram that is.

Elinor and Marianne might not have needed to knit at the beginning of Sense and Sensibility but you can bet their disposable income for knitwear was slashed (along with everything else) once they moved to Barton Cottage.

Catherine Moreland’s first knitting project might have been nappies  for her flock of younger brothers and sisters .

I suspect that Sir Walter would frown upon something as useful as knitting and would discourage his daughters from taking it up, but there are plenty of characters (Mrs. Smith comes to mind) in Persuasion who are sure to have knitted and purled their way through a garment or two.

Knitting with double pointed needles while watching a baby.

Knitting with double pointed needles while watching a baby.

The poor, both men and women, would have kept their fingers flying to keep the rich ladies in Austen’s world warm and fashionable. At the time of her death a poor family could make between 12 and 20 pounds annually just by knitting.

Knitting was an all age activity, and was done by both men and women.

Knitting was an all age activity, and was done by both men and women.

Today knitters can relive the Regency period through patterns found in such publications as Jane Austen Knits.

24/11/11

24/11/11 (Photo credit: fifikins)

 

You can even make yourself a pair of mittens emblazoned with Jane’s silhouette.

Chawton Mittens

Chawton Mittens (Photo credit: The Bees)

 

How divine.

1 Comment   |  tags: | posted in Jane Austen, Knitting, postaday

September 21, 2013

Secondary Character Saturday: Aunt Winnie (Murder at Longbourn)

By ritalovestowrite

[Image Courtesy: Amazon.com]

[Image Courtesy: Amazon.com]

WHO: Aunt Winnie

FROM: Murder at Longbourn, Murder on the Bride’s Side, Murder Most Persuasive. (She is in Murder Most Austen too, but I haven’t read that yet)

BY: Tracy Kiely

PUBLISHED: 2009

[Image Courtesy: Amazon.com]

[Image Courtesy: Amazon.com]

PROS: Aunt Winnie is feisty, smart, and she knows her mind. Since I am now eligible for an AARP card I really appreciate heroines (and heroes) who have a few  years on them. Aunt Winnie has me beat by several decades, but she still knows how to have fun (even if she doesn’t always know how to dress.) She’s her own woman and I like that. She’s devoted to her niece, which an aunt ought to be if she can. And she loves Jane Austen.

CONS: She’s stubborn, and her “throw caution to the wind” attitude some times gets her in trouble.

[Image Courtesy: Amazon.com]

[Image Courtesy: Amazon.com]

MOST SHINING MOMENT:  Murder at Longbourn takes place at Winnie’s B&B, so she is most intricately involved in that plot, but I think her most shining moment comes in Murder Most Persuasive when she puts her sister-in-law, a Scarlett O’Hara wannabe, in place on several occasions.

WHY I CHOSE AUNT WINNIE: Well I couldn’t choose Elizabeth, because she’s the MAIN character   …and I would have chosen Peter, but Peter is  a stand in for Darcy — and if I was going to pick Darcy I would have PICKED DARCY! So Aunt Winnie was a good next choice. She’s the type of gal I hope to be when I grow up.

[Image Courtesy: Amazon.com]

[Image Courtesy: Amazon.com]

In this book series Tracy Kiely manages to channel Austen and Agatha Christie at the same time. I’m not a big fan of the Mystery genre, but Kiely throws in plenty of Austen references and an abundance of self deprecating humor and manages to make each of these books a fun, easy read. I’m looking forward the fourth novel, Murder Most Austen.

[Image Courtesy: Amazon.com]

[Image Courtesy: Amazon.com]

 

Related Sites: http://www.tracykielymysteries.com/

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August 19, 2013

Ahhh the Regency Life for me.

By ritalovestowrite

Austenland

Hold on to your bonnets ladies, Austenland is almost here. The film, which stars Keri  Russell as an uber  Jane Austen fan who travels to England for the vacation of a lifetime — a chance to live the Regency experience — won high marks at the Sundance Festival  and enjoyed a strong limited release this weekend. While the rest of us wait with bated breath for the film to come to our local movie house I thought I’d take a closer look at what life was really like in Jane’s day.  I was inspired by the August 15 HuffingtonPost.com article by Roy and Lesley Adkins which list 13 Reason You Wouldn’t Want to Live In Jane Austen’s England.

  1. Forced Marriage
  2. Infant Mortality
  3. Fetching Water
  4. Dangers of Fire
  5. Child Labor
  6. Chimney Sweeps
  7. Dubious Medicines
  8. Dodgy Dentistry
  9. Shocking Surgery
  10. Press Gangs
  11. The Bloody Code (Criminal Courts)
  12. Punishment After Death
  13. Injustice After Death

I’d like to humbly add my own warnings to coveting a life in an Empire dress.

An 1833 engraving of a scene from Chapter 59 o...

An 1833 engraving of a scene from Chapter 59 of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Mr. Bennet is on the left, Elizabeth on the right. This, along with File:Pickering – Greatbatch – Jane Austen – Pride_and_Prejudice – This is not to be borne, Miss Bennet.jpg, are the first published illustrations of Pride and Prejudice. Janet M. Todd (2005), Jane Austen in Context, Cambridge University Press p. 127 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

First… forget about Darcy. If you are like me  (solidly in the middle class)  you’ve got about as much chance as marrying the Master of Pemberley (or  Donwell or Delaford or Mansfield) as you do of winning PowerBall. As Austen makes perfectly clear MONEY likes MONEY, and if you don’t have it you’re not likely to attract it. Maybe, if you are very, very pretty you might temp an unwary man (assuming there’s not an eagle-eyed sister, mother or aunt looking out for just your sort). However, with out the aid of modern dentistry and plastic surgery I hope that your beauty is God-given.

Be prepared to get sick. The food is going to totally suck. With out the benefit of an Amana French Door stainless steel refrigerator — the Regency cook’s best method  for preserving food is salt. Yum. The water is unfiltered and filled with lovely microbes and the milk is unpasteurized.

Ladies hush your mouth. If children were meant to be seen and not heard, members of the fairer sex weren’t expected to say much more. Certainly they weren’t expected to say anything that contradicted with the men around them. That may make Elizabeth Bennet all the more extraordinary, but don’t you go trying it.

Lady Catherine confronts Elizabeth about Darcy...

Lady Catherine confronts Elizabeth about Darcy, on the title page of the first illustrated edition. This is the other of the first two illustrations of the novel. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Granted, it’s fun to don a Regency dress, long gloves and hat every once in a while, but I can’t imagine doing it every day. Summers must have been brutal (and aromatic) with all that fabric and no air conditioning.

Then again…I guess fantasy is part of the appeal of Austen’s novels. And every time I pick up one of Jane’s six novels (or one of the many Austen inspired books on my shelf) I’m a very willing participant in that fantasy…. As I will be when I go to see Austenland… if it ever makes it to a screen near me.

Jane Austen

Jane Austen (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

3 Comments   |  tags: , , , | posted in Jane Austen, JASNA, Mr. Darcy, postaday, Pride and Prejudice, Thought of the Day, Writing