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A History of Jane Austen's Family
First published in 1983 as A Goodly Heritage, this book traces the history of Jane Austen's family from Elizabethan times. The author writes about the various members of her immediate family: her father, her mother, her brothers - James (the poet of the family and a major contributor to Steventon theatricals), the feeble-minded George, Edward, who became Squire of Godmersham, the impetuous Henry, her favourite, who later arranged pubication of her novels, the sailor brothers Francis and Charles - and her beloved sister, Cassandra.
- GenresNonfiction
238 pages, Paperback
First published February 25, 1998
About the author
George Holbert Tucker
15 booksGeorge Holbert Tucker was born in Norfolk, Virginia in 1909. He graduated from Maury High School in 1928. Forced by the depression to forgo college, he worked for a law firm, and later the WPA, before entering the Navy during World War II.
Following his discharge, he joined the staff of the Virginian Pilot newspaper, writing featured articles, local history, and obituaries. It was said that if George didn't write your obituary, you hadn't amounted to anything.
He officially retired from the paper in 1974, but after two weeks decided that "retirement is for the birds" and returned to write a weekly column. His best columns were collected in his many books.
A life-long Jane Austen fan, George wrote two books on Austen -- "A Goodly Heritage: A History of Jane Austen's Family" and "Jane Austen the Woman: Some Biographical Insights."
In 1998, Old Dominion University awarded him "the degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa."
He died in Norfolk in 2005 at the age of 95.
Following his discharge, he joined the staff of the Virginian Pilot newspaper, writing featured articles, local history, and obituaries. It was said that if George didn't write your obituary, you hadn't amounted to anything.
He officially retired from the paper in 1974, but after two weeks decided that "retirement is for the birds" and returned to write a weekly column. His best columns were collected in his many books.
A life-long Jane Austen fan, George wrote two books on Austen -- "A Goodly Heritage: A History of Jane Austen's Family" and "Jane Austen the Woman: Some Biographical Insights."
In 1998, Old Dominion University awarded him "the degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa."
He died in Norfolk in 2005 at the age of 95.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
May 20, 2017
Published originally as “A Goodly Heritage,” this book is a must-read for all Janeites, whether they are scholars or just serious readers.
Tucker provides short, intensely-researched biographical studies of Jane Austen’s extended family members, revealing in the process, the sources of some of her characters. The father in Pride and Prejudice was almost certainly her own father, and Capt Wentworth in Persuasion was based on one of her brothers. And the list goes on.
Personally, this is a benchmark for me — the last of Cousin George’s books unread is now read, and there will never be any more.
Tucker provides short, intensely-researched biographical studies of Jane Austen’s extended family members, revealing in the process, the sources of some of her characters. The father in Pride and Prejudice was almost certainly her own father, and Capt Wentworth in Persuasion was based on one of her brothers. And the list goes on.
Personally, this is a benchmark for me — the last of Cousin George’s books unread is now read, and there will never be any more.
Displaying 1 of 1 review