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Austen's Oxford Ties: Unveiled Exhibition
3 Dec
Summary
- Exhibition showcases Jane Austen's family's significant Oxford connections.
- Rare Austen family letters, some nearly lost, are featured.
- The display highlights surprising details of 18th-century university life.
An exhibition titled "The Austens at Oxford" has opened at St John's College, celebrating Jane Austen's family's historical connections to the university city. This display features a remarkable collection of letters, objects, and personal stories, marking the 250th anniversary of the renowned author's birth. Co-curators highlighted the extensive lineage of Austen family members associated with Oxford, including direct descent from the college's founder.
The exhibition delves into Jane Austen's own short and reportedly unhappy school days in Oxford in 1783. It also explores the experiences of her brothers, James and Henry Austen, who were fellows at the college. Visitors can see evidence of 18th-century university dining, such as the meals consumed by Jane's father, George Austen.
Particularly significant are the exceptionally rare surviving letters from the Austen family, with co-curator Dr. Timothy Manningmore emphasizing that less than one percent are thought to exist due to the family's practice of burning them. The exhibition showcases a valuable folio of five letters, offering unique insights into the Austen family's lives and Jane's sharp, often satirical, perspective.
