Elizabeth Jenkins, the author and biographer has died aged 104. Her full obituary in The Daily Telegraph can be accessed here.
A founder member of the Jane Austen Society she also helped secure the purchase of Chawton Cottage, now the Jane Austen House Museum , in order to preserve it for ever. For that she ,and the other founder members of the JAS and the Jane Austen Memorial Trust will always have our thanks.
However, she will always be remembered by me as the writer of the best life of Jane Austen.
Hers was the first biography of Jane Austen that I read ( note my tatty fly cover, above,a result of much reading over the years!) I had received a copy of it as a Christmas gift from my old English Mistress in 1970: it was in fact her own copy of the 1959 edition which she had received as a gift from the author herself (as you can see, she signed it on the title page, below).
I have always cherished this book, not only for its worth, but as a reminder of the woman who introduced me to Jane Austen- we read Pride and Prejudice in class- all those years ago and encouraged me to carry on in the habit of reading All Six Every Year as she did. She died five years ago and I still miss our conversations.
17 comments
September 7, 2010 at 5:28 pm
Julie
I’m so sorry to hear about Elizabeth Jenkins’ death. I own her book and am ashamed to say I have not read it yet. It’s in storage for the duration, so I have no idea when I will be able to get to it.
-Julie P.
September 8, 2010 at 9:38 am
jfwakefield
I think you would really appreciate the approach that book took, Julie. I hope you can retrieve it from storage soon.
September 7, 2010 at 8:09 pm
Cathy Allen
Her biography of Jane Austen was the first one I read, too. I got it, at the recommendation of a lovely friend (whose initials are JW ;-) ) used, from Amazon, and ever after have compared any others I’ve read to IT. How wonderful that you have a signed copy, and such a lovely association with the book and your teacher. A treasure, to be sure. Thanks for sharing, Julie.
September 8, 2010 at 9:40 am
jfwakefield
You know, though Ive been recommending books on Jane Austen for over 10 years on the net, Im really surprised when anyone actually takes me up ! Im glad and relieved you liked that book,Cathy.
September 7, 2010 at 11:59 pm
Adriana Zardini
I am looking to read her biography! It’s too dificult to find it here in Brazil. Maybe I will have a chance at amazon, right?
I took the liberty to add a link to your post at JASBRA http://www.jasbra.com.br
Thanks,
Adriana
here is the post: http://janeaustenclub.blogspot.com/2010/09/morre-elizabeth-jenkins-1905-2010.html
September 8, 2010 at 9:41 am
jfwakefield
Hello, Adriana, how lovely to “see” you here.
Thank you so much for the link to your site , and I’ve emailed you about the book ;-)
September 8, 2010 at 9:17 am
Laurel Ann
Lovely tribute Julie. I cherish this biography and it is still considered one of the best.
September 8, 2010 at 9:43 am
jfwakefield
I’ve loved its approach it for years and try to convert anyone who will listen and hasn’t yet read it :)
September 8, 2010 at 9:42 am
Enid Wilson
She contributed tremendously to the popularity of Jane Austen.
Really Angelic
September 8, 2010 at 9:44 am
jfwakefield
I loved the way she set Jane Austen’s life within the context of the late 18th/early 19th centuries.
September 8, 2010 at 12:16 pm
Adriana Zardini
Thanks Julie! I already answered you!
September 8, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Alexa Adams
This is a biography I have not read and am adding it to the TBR list right now. I have read two or three Austen biographies and am sorry to say that I didn’t love any of them. Silly me not to ask for a recommendation from those who are sure to know which is best.
September 8, 2010 at 12:54 pm
jfwakefield
Then hopefully this will be the one for you, Alexa;-) I didn’t wholly enjoy the Tomalin life, and for years have loved the very factual version by Le Faye in Jane Austen: A Family Record. But this still remains my favourite.
September 8, 2010 at 1:57 pm
imogen88
What a lovely tribute to an amazing lady at an amazing age. An inspiration. No wonder the book is so dear to you, Julie.
September 8, 2010 at 4:52 pm
jfwakefield
Thanks Moni:)
September 8, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Karen
I confess I had not heard of this biography til reading this post. *Hanging head in shame.* And may I say how lovely it must have been for you to have had such a mentor in your English teacher.
September 9, 2010 at 9:19 am
jfwakefield
She was amazing,encouraging and supportive. I have her to thank for my abiding interests in Austen and Shakespeare.She was a very inspirational teacher,and I was lucky to have been taught by her.