James Edward Austen-Leigh was the nephew of Jane Austen, one of the most beloved authors of the English language. The son of Austen's eldest brother, James, James Edward was the author of A Memoir of Jane Austen, a family project first published in 1869 that collected the family's memories of Jane, who had passed away in 1817, and which revealed her authorship of such classic novels as Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, and Northanger Abbey. Published anonymously during her life, Austen's work was renowned for its realism, humour, and commentary on English social rites and society at the time.
1. Introductory remarks
2. Description of Steventon
3. Early compositions
4. Removal from Steventon
5. Description of Jane Austen's person, character and tastes
6. Habits of composition resumed after a long interval
7. Seclusion from the literary world
8. Slow growth of her fame
9. Opinions expressed by eminent persons
10. Observations on the novels
11. Declining health of Jane Austen
12. Postscript.
