March 31 April 7, 14, 21, 28 May 5
5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

In honor of Jane Austen’s 250th birthday in 2025, this class explores her life, works, and legacy from a fresh perspective. Both seasoned readers and those new to Austen will appreciate experiencing the story of her authorship through images of original documents and artifacts. Warmly supported by her family, especially her clergyman father, Austen began writing fiction in her teenage years but was in her thirties before her first book was published. Discover what happened during those years and how a household of creative women made it possible for her to focus on her writing and achieve publication. The class considers how and why her literary reputation grew after her death and why contemporary adaptations and retellings continue to broaden her readership.

Juliette Wells, PhD is a Professor of Literary Studies at Goucher College, known for her groundbreaking research on Jane Austen.