Born in Hampshire in 1775, Jane Austen was one of seven children and began writing at an early age. In this new biography, leading scholar Fiona Stafford offers a fresh perspective on Austen's life and work, discussing such classics as "Pride and Prejudice", "Sense and Sensibility" and "Emma" in the context of the world in which they were published. This book gives an informative and enjoyable insight into the life of Austen as both a woman and a writer and will appeal to literature students and general readers alike.