Charlotte Brontë (21 April 1816 – 31 March 1855)

Biography Charlotte was born in Thornton, Yorkshire in 1816, the third of six children, to Maria and her husband Patrick Brontë an Irish Anglican clergyman. In 1820, the family moved a few miles to Haworth, where Patrick had been appointed Perpetual Curate. Charlotte was born in Thornton, Yorkshire in 1816, the third of six children, to Maria and her husband Patrick Brontë an Irish Anglican clergyman. In 1820, the family moved a few miles to Haworth, where Patrick had been appointed Perpetual Curate.Thornton YorkshireMaria Patrick BrontëIrishAnglican clergymanfamilyHaworth Perpetual CurateThornton YorkshireMaria Patrick BrontëIrishAnglican clergymanfamilyHaworth Perpetual Curate

Mrs Brontë died of cancer on 15 September 1821, leaving five daughters and a son to be taken care of by her sister Elizabeth Branwell. Mrs Brontë died of cancer on 15 September 1821, leaving five daughters and a son to be taken care of by her sister Elizabeth Branwell.

In August 1824, Charlotte was sent with three of her sisters, Emily, Maria, and Elizabeth, to the Clergy Daughters' School at Cowan Bridge in Lancashire (which she would describe as Lowood School in Jane Eyre). In August 1824, Charlotte was sent with three of her sisters, Emily, Maria, and Elizabeth, to the Clergy Daughters' School at Cowan Bridge in Lancashire (which she would describe as Lowood School in Jane Eyre). Emily Cowan BridgeLancashireJane Eyre Emily Cowan BridgeLancashireJane Eyre

CHARLOTTE AND HER SISTERS

Its poor conditions, Charlotte maintained, permanently affected her health and physical development and hastened the deaths of her two elder sisters, Maria (born 1814) and Elizabeth (born 1815), who died of tuberculosis in June 1825 soon after their father removed them from the school on 1 June. Its poor conditions, Charlotte maintained, permanently affected her health and physical development and hastened the deaths of her two elder sisters, Maria (born 1814) and Elizabeth (born 1815), who died of tuberculosis in June 1825 soon after their father removed them from the school on 1 June. tuberculosis

At home in Haworth Parsonage, Charlotte and the other surviving children — Branwell, Emily, and Anne — began chronicling the lives and struggles of the inhabitants of their imaginary kingdoms. Charlotte and Branwell wrote Byronic stories about their country — Angria — and Emily and Anne wrote articles and poems about theirs — Gondal. At home in Haworth Parsonage, Charlotte and the other surviving children — Branwell, Emily, and Anne — began chronicling the lives and struggles of the inhabitants of their imaginary kingdoms. Charlotte and Branwell wrote Byronic stories about their country — Angria — and Emily and Anne wrote articles and poems about theirs — Gondal.Haworth ParsonageBranwellEmily AnneHaworth ParsonageBranwellEmily Anne

Charlotte continued her education at Roe Head, Mirfield, from 1831 to 1832, where she met her lifelong friends and correspondents, Ellen Nussey and Mary Taylor.During this period, she wrote her novella The Green Dwarf (1833) under the name of Wellesley. Charlotte continued her education at Roe Head, Mirfield, from 1831 to 1832, where she met her lifelong friends and correspondents, Ellen Nussey and Mary Taylor.During this period, she wrote her novella The Green Dwarf (1833) under the name of Wellesley. Mirfield Ellen NusseyThe Green Dwarf Mirfield Ellen NusseyThe Green Dwarf

Charlotte returned as a teacher from 1835 to In 1839, she took up the first of many positions as governess to various families in Yorkshire, a career she pursued until Charlotte returned as a teacher from 1835 to In 1839, she took up the first of many positions as governess to various families in Yorkshire, a career she pursued until 1841.Yorkshire

In 1842 she and Emily travelled to Brussels to enroll in a boarding school run by Constantin Heger (1809 – 1896) and his wife Claire Zoé Parent Heger (1814 – 1891). In 1842 she and Emily travelled to Brussels to enroll in a boarding school run by Constantin Heger (1809 – 1896) and his wife Claire Zoé Parent Heger (1814 – 1891).Brussels Constantin HegerBrussels Constantin Heger

Charlotte returned alone to Brussels in January 1843 to take up a teaching post at the boarding school. Her second stay at the boarding school was not a happy one; she became lonely, homesick and deeply attached to Constantin Heger. Charlotte returned alone to Brussels in January 1843 to take up a teaching post at the boarding school. Her second stay at the boarding school was not a happy one; she became lonely, homesick and deeply attached to Constantin Heger.Constantin HegerConstantin Heger

She finally returned to Haworth in January 1844 and later used her time at the boarding school as the inspiration for some of The Professor and Villette. She finally returned to Haworth in January 1844 and later used her time at the boarding school as the inspiration for some of The Professor and Villette. The ProfessorVillette The ProfessorVillette

In May 1846, Charlotte, Emily, and Anne published a joint collection of poetry under the assumed names of Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell. Although only two copies were sold, the sisters continued writing for publication and began their first novels. Charlotte used "Currer Bell" when she published her first two novels. Brontë later wrote : In May 1846, Charlotte, Emily, and Anne published a joint collection of poetry under the assumed names of Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell. Although only two copies were sold, the sisters continued writing for publication and began their first novels. Charlotte used "Currer Bell" when she published her first two novels. Brontë later wrote :

Indeed, her novels were deemed coarse by the critics.[citation needed] There was speculation about the identity of Currer Bell, and whether Bell was a man or a woman. Indeed, her novels were deemed coarse by the critics.[citation needed] There was speculation about the identity of Currer Bell, and whether Bell was a man or a woman.citation neededcitation needed Title page of the first edition of Jane Eyre.Jane Eyre

Charlotte's brother, Branwell, the only son of the family, died of chronic bronchitis and marasmus exacerbated by heavy drinking in September Charlotte's brother, Branwell, the only son of the family, died of chronic bronchitis and marasmus exacerbated by heavy drinking in September 1848.chronic bronchitis marasmuschronic bronchitis marasmus

Although Charlotte believed his death was due to tuberculosis. Branwell was also a suspected "opium eater", (i.e. a laudanum addict). Emily and Anne both died of pulmonary tuberculosis in December 1848 and May 1849, respectively. Although Charlotte believed his death was due to tuberculosis. Branwell was also a suspected "opium eater", (i.e. a laudanum addict). Emily and Anne both died of pulmonary tuberculosis in December 1848 and May 1849, respectively.tuberculosisopiumlaudanumtuberculosisopiumlaudanum

Charlotte and her father were now left alone together. In view of the enormous success of Jane Eyre, she was persuaded by her publisher to visit London occasionally, where she revealed her true identity and began to move in a more exalted social circle, becoming friends with Harriet Martineau, Elizabeth Gaskell, William Makepeace Thackeray and G. H. Lewes. Charlotte and her father were now left alone together. In view of the enormous success of Jane Eyre, she was persuaded by her publisher to visit London occasionally, where she revealed her true identity and began to move in a more exalted social circle, becoming friends with Harriet Martineau, Elizabeth Gaskell, William Makepeace Thackeray and G. H. Lewes.Jane EyreLondon Harriet MartineauElizabeth GaskellWilliam Makepeace ThackerayG. H. LewesJane EyreLondon Harriet MartineauElizabeth GaskellWilliam Makepeace ThackerayG. H. Lewes

Her book had sparked a movement in regards to feminism in literature. The main character, Jane Eyre, in her novel Jane Eyre, was a parallel to herself, a woman who was strong. However, she never left Haworth for more than a few weeks at a time as she did not want to leave her aging father's side. Her book had sparked a movement in regards to feminism in literature. The main character, Jane Eyre, in her novel Jane Eyre, was a parallel to herself, a woman who was strong. However, she never left Haworth for more than a few weeks at a time as she did not want to leave her aging father's side. feminismJane Eyre feminismJane Eyre

Then is the authoress, the unknown power whose books have set all London talking, reading, speculating; some people even say our father wrote the books - the wonderful books... Then is the authoress, the unknown power whose books have set all London talking, reading, speculating; some people even say our father wrote the books - the wonderful books...

The moment is so breathless that dinner comes as a relief to the solemnity of the occasion, and we all smile as my father stoops to offer his arm; for, genius though she may be, Miss Brontë can barely reach his elbow. The moment is so breathless that dinner comes as a relief to the solemnity of the occasion, and we all smile as my father stoops to offer his arm; for, genius though she may be, Miss Brontë can barely reach his elbow.

Miss Brontë retired to the sofa in the study, and murmured a low word now and then to our kind governess... the conversation grew dimmer and more dim, the ladies sat round still expectant, my father was too much perturbed by the gloom and the silence to be able to cope with it at all... Miss Brontë retired to the sofa in the study, and murmured a low word now and then to our kind governess... the conversation grew dimmer and more dim, the ladies sat round still expectant, my father was too much perturbed by the gloom and the silence to be able to cope with it at all...

After Miss Brontë had left, I was surprised to see my father opening the front door with his hat on. He put his fingers to his lips, walked out into the darkness, and shut the door quietly behind him... long afterwards... Mrs. Procter asked me if I knew what had happened... It was one of the dullest evenings... After Miss Brontë had left, I was surprised to see my father opening the front door with his hat on. He put his fingers to his lips, walked out into the darkness, and shut the door quietly behind him... long afterwards... Mrs. Procter asked me if I knew what had happened... It was one of the dullest evenings...

The ladies who had all come expecting so much delightful conversation, and the gloom and the constraint, and how finally, overwhelmed by the situation, my father had quietly left the room, left the house, and gone off to his club.” The ladies who had all come expecting so much delightful conversation, and the gloom and the constraint, and how finally, overwhelmed by the situation, my father had quietly left the room, left the house, and gone off to his club.”

In June 1854, Charlotte married Arthur Bell Nicholls, her father's, and became pregnant soon thereafter. Her health declined rapidly during this time, and according to Gaskell, her earliest biographer In June 1854, Charlotte married Arthur Bell Nicholls, her father's, and became pregnant soon thereafter. Her health declined rapidly during this time, and according to Gaskell, her earliest biographer She was attacked by "sensations of perpetual nausea and ever- recurring faintness."Charlotte died, along with her unborn child, on 31 March 1855, at the young age of 38. She was attacked by "sensations of perpetual nausea and ever- recurring faintness."Charlotte died, along with her unborn child, on 31 March 1855, at the young age of 38.

Her death certificate gives the cause of death as (tuberculosis), but many biographers suggest she may have died from dehydration and malnourishment, caused by excessive vomiting from severe. Her death certificate gives the cause of death as (tuberculosis), but many biographers suggest she may have died from dehydration and malnourishment, caused by excessive vomiting from severe.

There is also evidence to suggest that Charlotte died from she may have caught from Tabitha Ackroyd, the Brontë household's oldest servant, who died shortly before her. Charlotte was interred in the family vault in The Church of St. Michael and All Angels, Haworth, West Yorkshire, England. There is also evidence to suggest that Charlotte died from she may have caught from Tabitha Ackroyd, the Brontë household's oldest servant, who died shortly before her. Charlotte was interred in the family vault in The Church of St. Michael and All Angels, Haworth, West Yorkshire, England.

The posthumous biography of Charlotte Brontë by Gaskell, was the first of many biographies about Charlotte to be published. Though frank in places, Gaskell suppressed details of Charlotte's love for Heger, a married man, as being too much of an affront to contemporary morals and as a possible source of distress to Charlotte's still-living friends, father and husband (Lane –183). The posthumous biography of Charlotte Brontë by Gaskell, was the first of many biographies about Charlotte to be published. Though frank in places, Gaskell suppressed details of Charlotte's love for Heger, a married man, as being too much of an affront to contemporary morals and as a possible source of distress to Charlotte's still-living friends, father and husband (Lane –183).

Gaskell also provided doubtful and inaccurate information about Patrick Brontë, claiming, for example, that he did not allow his children to eat meat. This is refuted by one of Emily Brontë's diary papers, in which she describes the preparation of meat and potatoes for dinner at the parsonage, as points out in her recent biography, The Brontës. Gaskell also provided doubtful and inaccurate information about Patrick Brontë, claiming, for example, that he did not allow his children to eat meat. This is refuted by one of Emily Brontë's diary papers, in which she describes the preparation of meat and potatoes for dinner at the parsonage, as points out in her recent biography, The Brontës.

Posthumously, her first- written novel was published in 1857, the fragment she worked on in her last years in 1860 (twice completed by recent authors, the more famous version being : A Novel from the Unfinished Manuscript by Charlotte Brontë by, 2003), and much Angria material over the ensuing decades. Posthumously, her first- written novel was published in 1857, the fragment she worked on in her last years in 1860 (twice completed by recent authors, the more famous version being : A Novel from the Unfinished Manuscript by Charlotte Brontë by, 2003), and much Angria material over the ensuing decades.

Novels published 1847 published 1847 published 1849 published 1849 published 1853 published 1853 written before Jane Eyre, submitted at first along with and, then separately, and rejected in either form by many publishing houses, published posthumously in 1857 written before Jane Eyre, submitted at first along with and, then separately, and rejected in either form by many publishing houses, published posthumously in 1857 Emma, unfinished; Charlotte Brontë wrote only 20 pages of the manuscript, published posthumously in In recent decades, at least two continuations of this fragment have appeared: Emma, unfinished; Charlotte Brontë wrote only 20 pages of the manuscript, published posthumously in In recent decades, at least two continuations of this fragment have appeared:

The year 1847 was a particularly eventful one for the Bronte family. Three novels were published by the Bronte sisters under various pen names: Wuthering Heights by Ellis Bell; Agnes Grey by Acton Bell; and Jane Eyre: The year 1847 was a particularly eventful one for the Bronte family. Three novels were published by the Bronte sisters under various pen names: Wuthering Heights by Ellis Bell; Agnes Grey by Acton Bell; and Jane Eyre:

An Autobiography, edited by Currier Bell. Jane Eyre was published in five parts and was the talk of London. Charlotte Bronte’s novel continues to have great impact on the reading world. Her strong, lovely use of language and head-on confrontation of social issues of the day build a foundation for a story that is part personal, part allegorical, and as absorbing a tale today as it was over a hundred years ago. An Autobiography, edited by Currier Bell. Jane Eyre was published in five parts and was the talk of London. Charlotte Bronte’s novel continues to have great impact on the reading world. Her strong, lovely use of language and head-on confrontation of social issues of the day build a foundation for a story that is part personal, part allegorical, and as absorbing a tale today as it was over a hundred years ago.

JANE EYRE JANE EYRE Jane Eyre, an orphan whose care is considered an onerous duty to her aunt by marriage, never fits in with the spoiled, socially fixated family who consider her status far beneath them. Banned from the company of her cousins, she curls up in a window seat with a book. The nine-year-old Jane strikes back when her older cousin John finds her and punishes her for touching part of his future inheritance. Jane Eyre, an orphan whose care is considered an onerous duty to her aunt by marriage, never fits in with the spoiled, socially fixated family who consider her status far beneath them. Banned from the company of her cousins, she curls up in a window seat with a book. The nine-year-old Jane strikes back when her older cousin John finds her and punishes her for touching part of his future inheritance.

She is sent to Lowood, a school run by a hypocritical minister. Though subjected to a starvation diet and branded a liar by the nefarious man of God, Jane endures. Her mettle is tested again and again, but through it all she remains faithful to the standard she has set for herself and others. She is sent to Lowood, a school run by a hypocritical minister. Though subjected to a starvation diet and branded a liar by the nefarious man of God, Jane endures. Her mettle is tested again and again, but through it all she remains faithful to the standard she has set for herself and others.

She reaches adulthood and leaves Lowood to become a governess at Thornhill. The mysterious, secret-burdened Mr. Rochester wins Jane’s love and she his respect, reminding him constantly that though she is a poor, plain governess, she is still his equal. He asks her to marry him, and it seems Jane will find happiness with this arrogant, sad man. She reaches adulthood and leaves Lowood to become a governess at Thornhill. The mysterious, secret-burdened Mr. Rochester wins Jane’s love and she his respect, reminding him constantly that though she is a poor, plain governess, she is still his equal. He asks her to marry him, and it seems Jane will find happiness with this arrogant, sad man.

Fate steps in to keep Jane from making the mistake of her life; the marriage is thwarted at the last minute, and Jane flees from Thornhill penniless and alone. She finds a new life, a new economic and social position, and eventually makes her way back to Thornhill to Rochester, a man laid low by his insane secret wife imprisoned in the attic. Fate steps in to keep Jane from making the mistake of her life; the marriage is thwarted at the last minute, and Jane flees from Thornhill penniless and alone. She finds a new life, a new economic and social position, and eventually makes her way back to Thornhill to Rochester, a man laid low by his insane secret wife imprisoned in the attic.

Bronte uses her experience as teacher and governess to address certain social ambiguities common in the 1800s. Though often better educated than their employers, governesses were socially far below them, not quite servant but definitely not equal. Bronte uses her experience as teacher and governess to address certain social ambiguities common in the 1800s. Though often better educated than their employers, governesses were socially far below them, not quite servant but definitely not equal.

Morally, our heroine is several notches above the man she refers to as Master. Jane’s assertion to Rochester on more than one occasion that she is his equal is especially poignant. Morally, our heroine is several notches above the man she refers to as Master. Jane’s assertion to Rochester on more than one occasion that she is his equal is especially poignant.

She declines to become his mistress, preferring to choose a path that leaves her penniless but not morally bankrupt. She declares, “The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself.” She declines to become his mistress, preferring to choose a path that leaves her penniless but not morally bankrupt. She declares, “The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself.”

Stevie Davies’ introduction this edition is a rich with insight about Bronte’s life and the creation of this classic novel. This is a great book to visit for the first time during the long cold winter, or revisit for those of us who haven’t picked it up in a decade or so. Beautiful language never goes out of style. Stevie Davies’ introduction this edition is a rich with insight about Bronte’s life and the creation of this classic novel. This is a great book to visit for the first time during the long cold winter, or revisit for those of us who haven’t picked it up in a decade or so. Beautiful language never goes out of style.