Jane Austen’s House in Chawton – Jane Austen’s home for the last eight years of her life and where she lived, wrote, and published her novels – is displaying two newly-acquired objects relating to Jane Austen’s older brother, Admiral Sir Francis William Austen, known to his family as Frank, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of his birth.
Opening on Wednesday, April 24, just after Francis Austen’s 250th birthday, the exhibition entitled Travels with Frank Austen showcases for the first time an unpublished handwritten manuscript biography of Francis Austen and an album of watercolours and drawings from his global travels during his long career in the Royal Navy.
The manuscript biography describes Francis’s life and family relations as well as observations on historical events and impressions of the countries he visited during his 79 years at sea.
The album offers a visual record of his global travels, containing 73 watercolours and drawings, predominantly of the West Indies and Canada, created by Francis and his daughter Cassandra Eliza Austen in the 1840s.
Never before seen outside of family ownership, these objects have gone on public display for the very first time, offering new insights into Jane Austen and her family, and new avenues for research.
Francis Austen’s story is intrinsically linked to his sister Jane’s – he was intimately connected with the domestic lives of the Austen women, living with them in Southampton from 1806 to 1809 and corresponding with them while away at sea.
Jane used the name of his ship, HMS Elephant, in Mansfield Park, writing to ask if he would object to it being mentioned. A skilled wood turner, he is also thought to have inspired Captain Harville in Persuasion.
Francis Austen went to Naval College in Portsmouth at the age of 12 and rose up through the ranks. He served against the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic sea forces, and was described by Admiral Nelson as “an excellent young man”. He rose to become Admiral of the Fleet and was knighted in 1837.
Both the manuscript biography and the watercolour album were acquired at auction at Bonham’s, Knightsbridge, in June 2023 and were bought by Jane Austen’s House with funding from Friends of the National Libraries.
Alongside the display, Jane Austen’s House is launching a community project to transcribe the manuscript biography. Audiences across the world are invited to join in the project, contributing to the first full transcription of the manuscript, which will be published online. Full details are available at https://janeaustens.house/opportunities/transcribing-francis-austen-memoir/.
Travels with Frank Austen will run from April 23 to July 7 and is free with Jane Austen’s House admission. The exhibition will also be available online.
Jane Austen’s House runs a varied events programme throughout the year, including house tours, village walks, talks and online events.
The museum will host its annual Anniversary Festival from July 12 to 14, including its popular Dress Up Day on Saturday, July 13. A new exhibition marking the 210th anniversary of Mansfield Park will also run from April to September. Jane Austen’s House is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2024. All events can be booked at www.janeaustens.house/visit/whats-on/
Jane Austen’s House is currently open Wednesday to Sunday and will open seven days a week from May 27 through to September 29.
The House will also provide a focal point during the annual Regency Week celebrations in Alton, taking place this year from June 21 to 30.
As ever, the ten-day festival will boast a varied programme of walks, dancing, tours, talks and much more. And this year there will be the addition of a launch event on Friday, June 21 – with more details to follow.
Popular annual events include the Alton Regency Day in the High Street and Victorian Cricket tournament on the Butts.
Attendees of all events during Regency Week are welcome to wear Regency attire, and can be assured they won't be the only ones wearing costume!