Cassandra Austen
Cassandra Elizabeth Austen (9 January 1773 – 22 March 1845[1]) was the older sister of Jane Austen. She was Jane's best friend and a beauty.[2] Her fiancé died; she never married.[2]
Cassandra Austen | |
|---|---|
 Silhouette of Cassandra Austen | |
| Born | 9 January 1773 |
| Died | 22 March 1845 (aged 72) |
Childhood
Austen was born in 1773 in Steventon, Hampshire. Her father was the Rev. George Austen (1731–1805), and her mother was Cassandra, née Leigh (1739–1827). There were 8 Austen children. As Cassandra and Jane were the only girls they kept up an especially close friendship through their entire lives. Over 100 letters addressed to Cassandra from Jane are still kept. These letters have helped historians to find out more details about the life of Jane Austen. When Cassandra went to school, Jane followed her. At first it was arranged that Jane was not to go, as she was considered to be too young for schooling. However, she ended up going with Cassandra. In their mother's words, "if Cassandra's head had been going to be cut off, Jane would have hers cut off too".[3]
When Jane died in 1817, Austen is reported to have destroyed many of her letters, most of them dated after 1795.[1] Austen herself lived alone until her death on 22 March 1845, aged 72. She was buried at St. Nicholas' Church in Chawton, Hampshire.[4][5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Cassandra Austen Archived 2007-03-01 at the Wayback Machine". (n.d.) Jane Austen Centre Magazine. Retrieved 31 December 2006.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Tomalin, Claire (May 1999). "7". Jane Austen: A Life (1st ed.). United States of America: Vintage Books. ISBN 0-679-76676-6.
- ↑ "Jane Austen's Life and Family". (n.d.) The Jane Austen Information Page. Retrieved December 31, 2006.
- ↑ St Nicholas parish history Archived 2018-09-28 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved: 11 October 2007
- ↑ "St Nicholas, Chawton, Hampshire." (2004). Ukgraves.info. Retrieved: 31 December 2006.
Other websites
Media related to Cassandra Austen at Wikimedia Commons