Jane Austen

By Anastasia Sudilovskaya, MSU student, II year, group 205

Contents

Who was Jane Austen?Biography NovelsBath and Jane AustenJane Austen's Places in BathJane Austen's Centre in BathThe Jane Austen Centre Regency Tea RoomsJane Austen Dancers of BathJane Austen Festival in Bath

Who was she?

Jane Austen was an English novelist whose books, set among the English middle and upper classes, are notable for their wit, social observation and insights into the lives of early 19th century women.

Jane Austen was born on 16 December 1775 in the village of Steventon in Hampshire. She was one of eight children of a clergyman and grew up in a close-knit family. She began to write as a teenager. In 1801 the family moved to Bath. After the death of Jane's father in 1805 Jane, the family moved several times eventually settling in Chawton, near Steventon.In 1816, Jane began to suffer from ill-health, probably due to Addison's disease. She travelled to Winchester to receive treatment, and died there on 18 July 1817 at the age of 41.

(1775 - 1817)

Biography

NovelsJane's brother Henry helped her to publish her first novel, 'Sense and Sensibility', appeared in 1811. Her next novel 'Pride and Prejudice', which she described as her "own darling child" received highly favourable reviews. 'Mansfield Park' was published in 1814, then 'Emma' in 1816. 'Emma' was dedicated to the prince regent, an admirer of her work. Two more novels, 'Persuasion' and 'Northanger Abbey' were published posthumously and a final novel was left incomplete. All of Jane Austen's novels were published anonymously.

Bath and Jane Austen

Jane Austen set two of her six published novels, «Northanger Abbey» and «Persuasion», in Bath and made the city her home from 1801 to 1806.

In «Northanger Abbey» Jane Austen writes:'They arrived in Bath. Catherine was all eager delight; - her eyes were here, there, everywhere, as they approached its fine and striking environs, and afterwards drove through those streets which conducted them to the hotel. She was come to be happy, and she felt happy already'.

Jane Austen's Places in Bath

Jane Austen Centre in Bath

Celebrating Bath’s most famous resident, The Jane Austen Centre offers a snapshot of life during Regency times and explores how living in this magnificent city affected Jane Austen’s life and writing. ‘Live’ Guides, costume, film, superb giftshop and an authentic period atmosphere await you at this premier attraction.

Opening times:

4th November 2013 – 5th April 2014 (Winter Hours)11:00am – 4:30pm (Sunday – Friday… Last entry to Centre & Tearoom 3:30pm)Saturdays 9:45am – 5:30pm (Last entry to Centre & Tearoom at 4:30pm)

April 1st – June 30th 2014 (inclusive) 9.45am – 5.30pm (Summer Hours)July 1st – August 31st (inclusive) 9am – 6pm

The centre is opened 7 days a week throughout the Summer.

Jane Austen Centre in Bath

Prices

Ticket Type Ticket Tariff

Adult £8.00 per ticketChild (6 - 16) £4.50 per ticketDiscovery Card Holders FreeFamily* £22.00 per ticketSenior (60+) £7.00 per ticketStudent £6.00 per ticket*Family usually means 2 Adults + up to 4 Children

The Jane Austen Centre Regency Tea Rooms

The quintessentially English tradition of taking afternoon tea has always been a popular treat in Bath. Consisting of a choice of fine teas, a range of delicate sandwiches and a selection of mouth-watering cakes and scones, it’s easy to see why this indulgent delight is still as popular today as it was in Georgian times.

Jane Austen Centre offers you an opportunity to taste traditional English tea in the atmosphere of Georgian times*.

*Georgian times (1760 - 1820) - the time when Jane Austen lived

Jane Austen Dancers of Bath

The 1995 BBC version of Pride and Prejudice and the Ball at Netherfield where Mr Darcy danced with Miss Elizabeth Bennet, inspired the Jane Austen Dancers of Bath to be founded in 1996 – the first and foremost Regency dance group in Bath and the UK.

Jane Austen Dancers classes provide the opportunity to learn how to dance, and find out more about the etiquette, the fashion, the history and the social customs of the Regency and late Georgian period.They hold an annual Ball and special classes for events such as The Jane Austen Festival and Pride & Prejudice Tours. Also they frequently participate in film and TV projects and private & public functions/parties/balls/hen parties.

Jane Austen Dancers of Bath

Jane Austen's Festival in Bath

The first Jane Austen Festival in Bath was held in September 2001 over the course of a weekend with events taking place at the Jane Austen Centre in Gay Street.The first Promenade set out from the Jane Austen Centre in 2004 and had 30 people including most of the staff taking part. In 2009 the promenade had over 450, all in costume with drummers, dancers, military and naval men.This year it will be already thirteen's Jane Austen Festival!

The Festival is hold each year in autumn and continue from 12th to 20th September.

You can see the long and interesting programme of the festival on:

www.janeaustenfestivalbath.co.uk/festival-programme/

Jane Austen's Festival in Bath

Webliography

http://visitbath.co.uk/things-to-do/the-jane-austen-centre-p26121http://www.janeaustendancersbath.co.uk/http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/janelife.htmlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/austen_jane.shtmlhttp://www.janeaustenfestivalbath.co.uk/festival-programme/http://visitbath.co.uk/eating-and-drinking/the-jane-austen-centre-regency-tea-rooms-p49211