Jane Austen

• Documentary

Episode overview

In six extraordinary works, she cast her ironic yet sympathetic eye on the privileged life of Georgian England. While Jane Austen's books have been in print continuously for over two centuries, the iconic author never lived to witness appreciation for her monumental contribution to English literature. Throughout the years, several of her novels have been made into films, sometimes numerous versions in a single year, confirming that although the world she chronicled has long since disappeared, the essence of Austen's wit and wisdom remain undimmed. In this captivating program, discover the true story behind this savvy and accomplished writer, whose incredible artistic achievement becomes all the more impressive when one considers that her two greatest novels, Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, were both written before she turned 21. From her brief life to her place in the literary canon, Biography draws on expert interviews and Austen's own words to tell her unique tale.

60 minutes