Jane Austen's Favourite Brother, Henry

Henry Austen, Jane Austen’s witty and loyal brother, led a colorful and turbulent life that influenced her work and reflected Regency society’s complexities.

Henry Austen, Jane Austen’s favourite brother, was born into a large and lively clergy family in Hampshire. Of her seven siblings, Henry most shared Jane’s mischievous wit and facility with words and his support enabled the publication of her novels.

Henry’s own life was much more incident—packed than his sister’s. By turns he was an aca...