Guest Review: JANE AUSTEN'S FAVOURITE BROTHER, HENRY by Dr. Christoper Herbert

ABOUT THE BOOK

Henry Austen, Jane Austen’s favorite 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 academic, magazine editor, soldier, financier and banker, bankrupt, and finally, a clergyman. His career hit the heights of Regency society, becoming linked with the Prince Regent’s set, before plummeting to the social disgrace and economic disaster of bankruptcy. Many of his activities hovered on the brink of illegality, and his marriage to the enigmatic French countess, Eliza de Feuillide, also raised questions and eyebrows. Nevertheless, his kindness, charm, and loyalty to Jane never wavered. He ensured her burial in Winchester Cathedral, and he ended his days as a hard-working curate in a Surrey market town and in Hampshire villages. His life sheds a fascinating light on the vagaries of early nineteenth-century society, and this new and important study examines both his relationships within the Austen family and the many social milieux in which he worked, which, through his recounting of his experiences, may have provided inspiration for some of Jane’s plots and characters. As Jane herself wrote to Cassandra, "Oh, what a Henry!"

OPENING LINES

On Friday, 10 September 1824, a small group of people made their way along a footpath to St Andrew’s, the ancient parish church of Farnham in Surrey. The party consisted of Robert Sampson, a maltster, and his wife, Hannah Jennings, who was carrying in her arms their baby daughter, Joyce. Robert, Hannah, and the friends accompanying them huddled close, one or two of them casting smiling glances at the baby.

 Jane Austen’s Favourite Brother, Henry by Christopher Herbert

GUEST REVIEW BY Sophia Rose

Was he a charming rogue?  Was he a steady fellow with big dreams? Jane Austen’s Favourite Brother, Henry, explores just who the fascinating Henry Austen was apart from his famous literary sister. Retired bishop, Dr. Christopher Herbert, did due diligence in researching the Austen family background, the historical setting of the times, and pored through ever so many letters and lists to bring a shadowy figure into vivid life.

Christopher Herbert organized his book somewhat chronologically, beginning with the background of the Reverend George Austen and Cassandra Austen, nee Leigh, then the political, religious, and social climate in which they lived, before revealing Henry’s early years reared in the Steventon Rectory, before heading off to Oxford.

There are details of Oxford University life in general and then specifics related to Henry. This pattern holds for each continuing aspect of Henry Austen’s life through the Militia, Banking, and then a later life curacy.  While in his militia career and banking, Henry’s first marriage and social life, along with his time as his sister’s literary agent, occurred. He was at the height of his game, living a sparkling life in London society, with many brands in the fire, so to speak. Those looking for glimpses of Jane Austen will spot them generously sprinkled through Henry’s bio.  

Family described his personality as more generous—that of a charming dreamer, but some facts hint at a man with mysterious contradictions in his actions, leaning toward shady schemes. Then, a series of misfortunes left him leading a simple country life and a second marriage before his death. It was in this latter period that the author’s background and knowledge shone, providing perspective on the facts, particularly related to life as a curate and what kind of minister Henry had become after spending the middle years of his life in the secular world.

Herbert infused personal hypotheses where facts were few, but these were shrewd and conservative. Though not afraid to speculate, the author offered a nuanced characterization with more depth, and his biographical style fleshed out Henry Austen and demonstrated why he was Austen’s favorite.

Dr. Christopher Herbert, author

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Christopher Herbert, a former Bishop of St Albans, member of the House of Lords, and Visiting Professor at the University of Surrey, is an experienced and widely read author. His books include Foreshadowing the Reformation: Art and religion in the 15th-century Netherlands, plus others about the history of Farnham, Surrey, where he now lives.

His interest in Henry Austen began with the chance discovery of a curious note written in a church Register. The biography grew from there…

Sophia Rose, reviewer, author

ABOUT THE GUEST REVIEWER, Sophia Rose

Sophia is a quiet, curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, piano-playing, and gardening. Road trips and campouts, museums and monuments, restaurants, and theaters are her jam. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and a loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, baseball, cats, Scooby Doo, and chocolate.

As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing. In 2012, she submitted her first book review and is currently an associate reviewer. Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener, which allows her to experience many wonderful books, authors, and narrators. Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction, particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance. Sorry, no horror...or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby. Connect with Sophia via FACEBOOK GOODREADS TWITTER.