Jane Austen’s Favourite Author: Maria Edgeworth of County Longford
A hasty sketch by stealth behind the pillar in the library of Edgeworthstown, April 25th 1848; signed L.L.D.B.; Prints & Drawings Collection at the National Library of Ireland.
‘I have made up my mind to like no novels really but Miss Edgeworth’s, yours and my own.'
The quote above is from a letter that Jane Austen wrote to her niece Anna on the 28th of September, 1814.
Maria Edgeworth was at the very top of Jane Austen’s reading list. Maria was equally a fan of Jane’s novels. But even as Jane was publishing anonymously, Maria was enjoying the respect and renown of being one of Britain’s leading authors.
Today the tables are turned. Everyone has heard of Austen while Edgeworth has slipped into obscurity. In this talk, Rachel and Andrew Knowles explore the Austen-Edgeworth connection as they tell the story of Maria, who spent much of her life in Edgeworthstown, County Longford.
Rachel Knowles loves happy endings, Jane Austen and all things Regency. She writes faith-based Regency romance rich in historical detail. She co-authors the popular blog RegencyHistory.net with her husband, Andrew, and they regularly give talks based on their extensive research.
Rachel featured Maria Edgeworth in her book ‘What Regency Women Did For Us’, the stories of twelve inspirational Regency women who left a legacy into the 21st century.
If our team can be of any assistance, please contact us on learning@nli.ie.
