Jane Austen facts

During the time of Jane Austen's life, a woman was not expected to work to support herself. Because of this, she had to rely on the financial support of relatives. Through the efforts of her male relatives her first novel, Sense and Sensibility, was published in 1811. Since it was also not acceptable for a female's writing to appear in public or in print, "A Lady" was used as the author. None of her works ever appeared in print with her full name as author.

Born into a large family, she had one older sister, four older brothers, and then two younger brothers. After her father's death, Jane, her sister, and their mother moved around a lot, staying with relatives and receiving some financial assistance from the brothers. Eventually one of the brothers secured housing for them, which started Jane's creativity going, and she wrote several more novels in that cottage. She remained in that cottage until shortly before her death.

In Enslow's A Student's Guide to Jane Austen, her life and work are examined, offering accessible insight for young readers.

Today would have been Emily Bronte's birthday

A Student's Guide to The Brontë Sisters
Author: Naomi Pasachoff
ISBN-13: 978-0-7660-3267-5

Publication Year: 2009
Interest Level: Grades 6-up
Page Count: 160

Although originally published nearly 200 years ago, the works of the Brontë sisters continue to be read and reread today. Twenty-first-century readers are engaged by such issues as the vulnerability of children, the role of education in civilizing members of society, the mysteries of love, and women’s independence. That Jane Eyre remains a beloved novel and Wuthering Heights an admired one today is due at least in part to the passionate intensity of their authors' writing. In short, these books convey basic truths about human experience that are as meaningful in our day as they were in the mid-nineteenth century.

today is the generally accepted birthday of William Shakespeare

A Student's Guide to William Shakespeare
Author: Walt Mittelstaedt
ISBN-13: 978-0-7660-2284-3

Publication Year: 2005
Interest Level: Grades 6-up
Page Count: 192

William Shakespeare is the greatest playwright and poet in the history of the English language and perhaps the world’s most popular author. In this Student's Guide to William Shakespeare, the career of this literary giant is examined, spanning his poetry, sonnets, dramas, comedies and tragedies, with special emphasis placed on curriculum-related works such as Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, A Midsummer Night's Dream and Hamlet.

Today would have been Charlotte Bronte's birthday

A Student's Guide to The Brontë Sisters
Author: Naomi Pasachoff
State Affiliation of Author: MA
ISBN-13: 978-0-7660-3267-5
Publication Year: 2009
Interest Level: Grades 6-up
Page Count: 160

Although originally published nearly 200 years ago, the works of the Brontë sisters continue to be read and reread today. Twenty-first-century readers are engaged by such issues as the vulnerability of children, the role of education in civilizing members of society, the mysteries of love, and women’s independence. That Jane Eyre remains a beloved novel and Wuthering Heights an admired one today is due at least in part to the passionate intensity of their authors' writing. In short, these books convey basic truths about human experience that are as meaningful in our day as they were in the mid-nineteenth century.

Birthday of Robert Frost

Today would have been Robert Frost's birthday.

You can also learn more about him here.

Birthday of Tennessee Williams

A Student's Guide to Tennessee Williams
Author: Spring Hermann
State Affiliation of Author: CT
State Affiliation of Title: LA
ISBN-13: 978-0-7660-2706-0

ISBN-10: 0-7660-2706-6

Publication Year: 2007
Interest Level: Grades 6-up
Page Count: 160

Tennessee Williams is one of the most popular and important American playwrights of the twentieth century. He is best known for his "Southern Gothic" style, which often portrayed the struggles of old-world Southerners trying to adjust to modern society. In A Student's Guide to Tennessee Williams, the life and work of Williams are examined, offering accessible insight for young readers. Each work is placed in historical and biographical context, with special emphasis placed on curriculum-related works The Glass Menagerie, A Streetcar Named Desire, and Cat On a Hot Tin Roof, in addition to many other lesser-known works.

A Nathaniel Hawthorne publication was released in 1850

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne was published on this day in 1850. Mr. Hawthorne was also known for penning The House of Seven Gables.