Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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Jane Austen has had a busy few years. She turned 250 years old; "The Other Bennet Sister" premiered on BBC; and Netflix announced a new adaptation of "Pride and Prejudice." But what do we really know about one of the world's most famous writers?

We talked to experts Lizzie Dunford and Patricia Matthew about Austen—who she was, what she accomplished, and why we love her so much.

Learn more from Britannica:
"Austen-speak" - A glossary of Jane Austen terms: britannica.com/art/Glossary-of-Jane-Austen-Terms
Jane Austen's family tree: britannica.com/topic/jane-austen-family
Film & TV adaptations: britannica.com/topic/List-of-Jane-Austen-Film-and-TV-Adaptations
Did Jane Austen ever marry? britannica.com/question/Did-Jane-Austen-marry
Pride & Prejudice: britannica.com/topic/Pride-and-Prejudice

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