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Jane Austen's Remarkable Aunt, Philadelphia Hancock (Hardback)

'A Girl of Genius and Feeling'

P&S History > Reference P&S History > Social History World History

By Jan Merriman
Imprint: Pen & Sword History
Pages: 272
Illustrations: 25 mono illustrations
ISBN: 9781036111854
Published: 2nd October 2024

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The orphaned Philadelphia Austen was forced to seek for herself those objects of eighteenth-century womanhood: social esteem and financial independence. Her story is circumscribed by the limitations of women’s lives of that time and opens up a wider exploration of those times through a detailed examination of one particular woman: Jane Austen’s ‘aunt Phila’.

The story of her aunt had impressed the young Jane Austen when she created a character, Cecilia Wynne, in her short fiction, Catharine or the Bower, written when she was sixteen. Cecilia’s experience as an orphaned ‘girl of genius and feeling’ being ‘sent in quest of a husband to Bengal’, mirrored that of her recently deceased aunt. Such a connection between author and aunt sparked an interest in an otherwise neglected member of the Austen clan.

How did this aunt who had provided inspiration for the young Jane manage to make her way in the world? How did the course of her life reflect the lives of other women of her times? What worlds did she move in? What people did she meet? Little was known about Philadelphia, yet her daughter Eliza, was said to be a central figure in Jane Austen’s life.

The conventional trajectory Philadelphia’s was changed when, after completing a millinery apprenticeship in London, she took the chance of a journey to India and an arranged marriage. There she became part of the colourful world of the Honourable East India Company and encountered many of its most notable people. Her life was transformed.

I love all things Jane Austen so of course when I found about this biography of her aunt Philadelphia Hancock. And I just have to say that her aunt was an amazing women.

NetGalley, Carissa Miller

Jan Merriman’s Jane Austen's Remarkable Aunt, Philadelphia Hancock is a captivating exploration of the life of Philadelphia Austen, a little-known yet fascinating figure who blazed her own path in a restrictive society. Rated four stars, this biography illuminates a remarkable woman whose story is both a reflection of her times and an inspiration to future generations, including her famous niece, Jane Austen.

Merriman’s portrayal of Philadelphia—or "Aunt Phila"—introduces readers to a woman who, despite being orphaned and constrained by the social limitations of eighteenth-century England, seized opportunities to carve out her own path. Her story is framed by both personal resilience and the historical context of British colonialism, as she ultimately embarks on an extraordinary journey to India, where she would marry and become part of the vibrant world of the Honourable East India Company. This narrative is both eye-opening and meticulously researched, showcasing Philadelphia’s life within the larger social currents of the era.

Philadelphia’s early life, marked by hardship and self-sufficiency, is particularly striking. Following a millinery apprenticeship in London, a rather unconventional path for a woman of her standing, she took the bold step of pursuing marriage abroad in colonial India—an option that, while radical, held the promise of financial security and social advancement. Her choice to make a life in India with an arranged marriage is presented with sensitivity, emphasizing her courage in venturing into an unfamiliar world and adapting to its customs, people, and politics.

In tracing Philadelphia’s story, Merriman skillfully unveils how her life impacted the young Jane Austen, whose early writings feature characters, like Cecilia Wynne in Catharine or the Bower, that echo Philadelphia's experiences. Merriman shows how Aunt Phila’s resilience and independence may have planted seeds in Austen’s own characters, who are known for their wit, intelligence, and spirit. Moreover, Merriman delves into the bond between Philadelphia’s daughter, Eliza, and Jane, further suggesting that Phila’s legacy contributed to Austen’s own understanding of complex female characters.

Rich in detail and historical insight, Jane Austen's Remarkable Aunt not only highlights Philadelphia’s journey but also provides an intimate look at the limitations and opportunities women faced in the eighteenth century. It’s a fascinating read for Austen enthusiasts and anyone interested in women's history. Merriman has crafted a thoughtful biography that honors a “girl of genius and feeling” whose life, though largely forgotten, reflects the strength and tenacity that define the women in Austen’s novels.

NetGalley, Chelsea Dugan

Jane Austen's Remarkable Aunt enriches our understanding of the Austen family and provides a compelling narrative of an adventurous woman whose life undoubtedly had an impact on Jane Austen’s work. This biography is a wonderful blend of social history, personal letters, and family dynamics, offering an intimate glimpse into the Austen family and the complex world they navigated.

NetGalley, Joanne Bough

About Jan Merriman

Jan Merriman is a retired teacher and graduate of The University of Sydney and Macquarie University in Australia, majoring in English Literature and Linguistics. Long devoted to Jane Austen, she has pursued her interest through research into many aspects of Jane Austen’s work, presented papers to Jane Austen Groups and conferences and published journal articles in Australia over the past ten years.


The biography of Jane Austen’s aunt Philadelphia Hancock is the product of seven years of research and a fascination with the untold stories of eighteenth-century women. This is her first book for Pen & Sword.

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