On This Day
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Parents of English novelist Jane Austen, cleric George Austen and Cassandra Leigh marry

Jane Austen (AW-stin; 16 December 1775 – 18 July 1817) was an English writer known primarily for her six novels, which implicitly interpret, critique, and comment on the English landed gentry at the...

Jane Austen (AW-stin; 16 December 1775 – 18 July 1817) was an English writer known primarily for her six novels, which implicitly interpret, critique, and comment on the English landed gentry at the end of the 18th century.

Austen's plots often explore the dependence of women on marriage for the pursuit of favourable social standing and economic security. Her works are implicit critiques of the novels of sensibility of the second half of the 18th century and are part of the transition to 19th-century literary realism. Her use of social commentary, realism, wit, and irony have earned her acclaim amongst critics and scholars.

Austen wrote major novels before the age of 22, but she was not published until she was 35.

Historical Significance

Jane Austen (AW-stin; 16 December 1775 – 18 July 1817) was an English writer known primarily for her six novels, which implicitly interpret, critique, and comment on the English landed gentry at the end of the 18th century.

Events Before

  1. Treaty of Paris ends the French-Indian War, France agrees to surrender Canada to Great Britain

    The Treaty of Paris, also known as the Treaty of 1763, was signed on 10 February 1763 by the kingdoms of Great Britain, France and Spain, with Portugal in agreement, following Great Britain and…

  2. Austria, Prussia and Saxony sign the Treaty of Hubertusburg, marking the end of the French and Indian War and of the Sev

    Austria, Prussia and Saxony sign the Treaty of Hubertusburg, marking the end of the French and Indian War and of the Seven Years' War

  3. Founding Father of the United States Roger Sherman (42) weds second wife Rebecca Prescott (20)

    Founding Father of the United States Roger Sherman (42) weds second wife Rebecca Prescott (20)

  4. Philosopher Marquis de Sade (22) weds Renee Pelagie de Montreuil in Paris

    Philosopher Marquis de Sade (22) weds Renee Pelagie de Montreuil in Paris

  5. George III of Great Britain issues the Proclamation of 1763, closing lands in North America north and west of the Allegh

    George III of Great Britain issues the Proclamation of 1763, closing lands in North America north and west of the Alleghenies to white settlement

Events After

  1. First direct British tax on American colonists, the Stamp Act, is passed by the British Parliament led by Prime Minister

    First direct British tax on American colonists, the Stamp Act, is passed by the British Parliament led by Prime Minister George Grenville

  2. Britain enacts Quartering Act, required colonists to provide temporary housing to British soldiers

    Britain enacts Quartering Act, required colonists to provide temporary housing to British soldiers

  3. 1st North American medical college opens in Philadelphia

    Philadelphia ( FIL-ə-DEL-fee-ə), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.

  4. HMS Victory launched; Admiral Nelson's flagship at Trafalgar, 40 years later

    HMS Victory is a 104-gun first-rate wooden sailing ship of the line. With 248 years of service as of 2026, she is the world's oldest naval vessel still in commission.

  5. Fire destroys a large part of Montreal, Quebec

    Fire destroys a large part of Montreal, Quebec

More from the 1760s

Afghans defeat the Indian Maratha Empire in the Battle of Barari Ghat

Afghans defeat the Indian Maratha Empire in the Battle of Barari Ghat

Third Battle of Panipat: In one of the largest battles of the 18th century, the mostly Muslim Afghan Durrani Empire defe

Third Battle of Panipat: In one of the largest battles of the 18th century, the mostly Muslim Afghan Durrani Empire defeats the mostly Hindu Maratha Empire in northern India. An estimated 60,000 to 70,000 people are killed in the fighting, and about 40,000 Maratha prisoners are massacred afterward.

Treaty of Paris ends the French-Indian War, France agrees to surrender Canada to Great Britain

The Treaty of Paris, also known as the Treaty of 1763, was signed on 10 February 1763 by the kingdoms of Great Britain, France and Spain, with Portugal in agreement, following Great Britain and…

Austria, Prussia and Saxony sign the Treaty of Hubertusburg, marking the end of the French and Indian War and of the Sev

Austria, Prussia and Saxony sign the Treaty of Hubertusburg, marking the end of the French and Indian War and of the Seven Years' War

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on April 26, 1764?
Jane Austen (AW-stin; 16 December 1775 – 18 July 1817) was an English writer known primarily for her six novels, which implicitly interpret, critique, and comment on the English landed gentry at the end of the 18th century. Austen's plots often explore the dependence of women on marriage for the pursuit of favourable social standing and economic security. Her works are implicit critiques of the novels of sensibility of the second half of the 18th century and are part of the transition to 19th-century literary realism.
Why is Parents of English novelist Jane Austen, cleric George Austen and Cassandra L... significant?
Jane Austen (AW-stin; 16 December 1775 – 18 July 1817) was an English writer known primarily for her six novels, which implicitly interpret, critique, and comment on the English landed gentry at the end of the 18th century.

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April 26 in HistoryYear 1764