250th Anniversary of the birth of the renowned British writer (1775–2025)
ELENA DÍAZ-GÁLVEZ PÉREZ DEL PUERTO
December 2025
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This year, 2025, marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen, who was born on December 16, 1775, at Steventon Rectory, Hampshire. It was there that she began writing, inspired by the collection of books her father had gathered over the years. Jane Austen is considered one of the XVIII century greatest English writers.
Despite her family’s financial difficulties, Jane was happy as the seventh of eight siblings—six brothers and one sister, Cassandra. Due to the Austen family’s economic struggles, her parents agreed that her brother Edward be adopted by the wealthy Thomas and Catherine Knight, who had no children. Edward was 16 when he became the sole heir to their properties and fortune. This situation greatly benefited Jane in the final stage of her life.
The many moves she had to endure with her family did not help her find the stability she longed for throughout her life. In 1809, her brother Edward offered Chawton Cottage, Hampshire, as a home for Jane, her sister, and their mother. It was during this period that her stories truly came to life.
To commemorate this milestone, numerous events are being held in key locations from her life:
Jane Austen’s House is presenting exhibitions such as Austenmania! and Jane Austen and the Art of Writing, which includes a rare collection of first editions.
Chawton House, where she wrote much of her work, is hosting themed festivals throughout the year.
Winchester, the city where she died and is buried, held a Regency ball beside her tomb.
Bath, a city Austen frequently visited (from 1797 onwards), is celebrating the Jane Austen Festival from September 12 to 21, featuring costume parades and period-inspired activities.
Her extensive literary legacy remains very present in our lives. Titles such as Sense and Sensibility (1811); Pride and Prejudice (1813); Mansfield Park (1814); Emma (1815); Persuasion (published posthumously in 1818), among others, are still studied today.
They have also served as inspiration for modern adaptations in television productions such as the Netflix miniseries Pride and Prejudice or the BBC documentary Jane Austen: Rise of a Genius.
The next FHB Book Club scheduled for April 2026 is dedicated to her with the novel Pride and Prejudice.