Jump to content

Edward Austen Knight: Difference between revisions

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m replace link to deleted Portal:Jane Austen with Portal:Novels + Portal:Literature
Importing Wikidata short description: "Brother of Jane Austen"
(38 intermediate revisions by 21 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Brother of Jane Austen}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2017}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
Line 5: Line 6:
| image = EdwardAusten.gif
| image = EdwardAusten.gif
| caption = Austen around 1788
| caption = Austen around 1788
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1768|10|7}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1767|10|7}}
| birth_place = [[Deane, Hampshire|Deane]], Hampshire
| birth_place = [[Deane, Hampshire|Deane]], Hampshire, England
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1852|11|19|1768|10|7}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1852|11|19|1767|10|7}}
| death_place = [[Godmersham]], Kent
| death_place = [[Godmersham]], Kent, England
| relatives = {{plain list|
| parents = George Austen and Cassandra Leigh
| relations = [[Jane Austen]], sister
* [[James Austen]] (brother)
* [[Henry Thomas Austen]] (brother)
⚫
| spouse = Elizabeth Bridges 1791–1808
* [[Cassandra Austen]] (sister)
* [[Francis Austen]] (brother)
* [[Jane Austen]] (sister)
* [[Charles Austen]] (brother)
* [[Philadelphia Austen Hancock]] (aunt)
}}
⚫
| spouse = {{marriage|Elizabeth Bridges|1791|1808|reason=died}}
| children = 11
| parents = {{plain list|
* [[George Austen (clergyman)|George Austen]]
* Cassandra Leigh
}}
| occupation = [[High Sheriff of Kent]]
| occupation = [[High Sheriff of Kent]]

{{Infobox military person
|embed = yes
|embed_title = Military Service
|allegiance = [[Great Britain]]
|branch = British Militia
|serviceyears = 1792-1800
|unit = [[British Volunteer Corps|East Kent Volunteers]]
|rank = Captain
|battles = [[Napoleonic Wars]]
}}
}}
}}


'''Edward Austen Knight''' (7 October 1768 – 19 November 1852), born '''Edward Austen''', was the third eldest brother of [[Jane Austen]], and provided her with the use of a cottage in [[Chawton]] where she lived for the last years of her life (now [[Jane Austen's House Museum]]). He was also [[High Sheriff of Kent]] in 1801.
'''Edward Austen Knight''' (born '''Edward Austen'''; 7 October 1767 – 19 November 1852) was the third eldest brother of [[Jane Austen]], and provided her with the use of a cottage in [[Chawton]] where she lived for the last years of her life (now [[Jane Austen's House Museum]]). He was also [[High Sheriff of Kent]] in 1801.


==Family==
==Family==
Edward was born in [[Deane, Hampshire]], the third of eight children born to Rev. George Austen and Cassandra Leigh. He had five brothers: James (1765–1819), George (1766–1838), [[Henry Thomas Austen|Henry Thomas]] (1771–1850), [[Francis Austen|Francis William (Frank)]] (1774–1865), [[Charles Austen|Charles John]] (1779–1852), and two sisters, [[Cassandra Austen|Cassandra]] and Jane.
Edward was born in [[Deane, Hampshire]], the third of eight children born to Rev. George Austen and Cassandra [[Baron Leigh|Leigh]]. He had five brothers: [[James Austen|James]] (1765–1819), George (1766–1838), [[Henry Thomas Austen|Henry Thomas]] (1771–1850), [[Francis Austen|Francis William (Frank)]] (1774–1865), [[Charles Austen|Charles John]] (1779–1852), and two sisters, [[Cassandra Austen|Cassandra]] and [[Jane Austen]].


He married Elizabeth Bridges (1773–1808) on 27 December 1791, and together they had eleven children, Fanny Catherine (1793–1882) (one of Jane Austen's favourite nieces<ref>[http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/janelife.html#janesibl Republic of Pemberly]</ref>), [[Edward Knight (cricketer)|Edward]] (1794–1879), [[George T. Knight (cricketer)|George Thomas]] (1795–1867), [[Henry Knight (cricketer)|Henry]] (1796–1843), Reverend William (1798–1873), Elizabeth (1800–1884), Marianne (1801–1896), Charles (1803–1867), Louisa (1804–1889), Cassandra Jane (1806–1842) and Brook John (1808–1878).<ref>[http://genealogy.links.org/links-cgi/readged?/home/ben/camilla-genealogy/current+c-knight58005+2-2-0-1-0 Genealogy Links]</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/stream/chawtonmanoritso00austuoft/chawtonmanoritso00austuoft_djvu.txt Chawton Manor and its owners: a family history p.172]</ref><ref>[http://www.thepeerage.com/p8452.htm#i84511 Peerage.com]</ref>
He married Elizabeth Bridges (1773–1808), daughter of [[Sir Brook Bridges, 3rd Baronet]] on 27 December 1791, and together they had eleven children:<ref>[http://genealogy.links.org/links-cgi/readged?/home/ben/camilla-genealogy/current+c-knight58005+2-2-0-1-0 Genealogy Links]</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/stream/chawtonmanoritso00austuoft/chawtonmanoritso00austuoft_djvu.txt Chawton Manor and its owners: a family history p.172]</ref><ref>[http://www.thepeerage.com/p8452.htm#i84511 Peerage.com]</ref>
* [[Fanny Knight|Fanny Catherine]] (1793–1882) (one of Jane Austen's favourite nieces<ref>[http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/janelife.html#janesibl Republic of Pemberly]</ref>)
* [[Edward Knight (cricketer)|Edward]] (1794–1879)
* [[George T. Knight (cricketer)|George Thomas]] (1795–1867)
* [[Henry Knight (cricketer)|Henry]] (1797–1843)
* Reverend William (1798–1873)
* Elizabeth (1800–1884), who married [[Edward Royd Rice]], had issue [[George Finch-Hatton, 10th Earl of Winchilsea|Fanny, Countess of Winchilsea]]
* Marianne (1801–1896)
* Charles (1803–1867)
* Louisa (1804–1889), second wife of [[Lord George Hill]]
* Cassandra Jane (1806–1842), first wife of [[Lord George Hill]]
* Brook John (1808–1878)

For a period, some of Edward and Elizabeth's children were taught by a governess, [[Anne Sharp (teacher)|Anne Sharp]], who became a close friend of Edward's sister Jane. Though she was with the family for only two years, Jane Austen remained in touch with Anne and referred to her as "an excellent kind friend".<ref name="Byrne">{{cite book|title=The Real Jane Austen|author=[[Paula Byrne]]|publisher=William Collins|ISBN=9780007358342|year=2013|page=260}}</ref>


==Knight inheritance==
==Knight inheritance==
[[File:EdwardAustenPresentation.gif|thumb|left|upright=1.2| Presentation of Edward Austen to Thomas and Catherine Knight]]
[[File:EdwardAustenPresentation.gif|thumb|left|upright=1.2| Presentation of Edward Austen to Thomas and Catherine Knight]]
When Edward was twelve years old he was presented to [[Thomas Knight (MP for Kent)|Thomas]] and Catherine Knight, who were relatives of his father and were wealthy.<ref name="jaworld">[http://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/2009/10/07/edward-austen-knight-a-tightwad-or-a-man-with-heavy-responsibilities/ Jane Austen World]</ref> Thomas had given George Austen the living at Steventon in 1761.<ref>[http://www.victoriacountyhistory.ac.uk/explore/items/jane-austen-steventon Victoria Country History]</ref> They were childless and took an interest in Edward, making him their legal heir in about 1783.<ref name="Stanford">[http://www.stanford.edu/group/auden/cgi-bin/auden/individual.php?pid=I21385&ged=auden-bicknell.ged Stanford WH Auden Family Ghosts]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://famous.adoption.com/famous/knight-edward-austen.html |title=Famous Adoptions |access-date=25 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911115500/http://famous.adoption.com/famous/knight-edward-austen.html |archive-date=11 September 2017 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name=Burke>[https://books.google.com/books?id=U_CvyAF3ko4C&pg=PA444&lpg=PA444&dq=%22Edward+Austen%22+%22Thomas+Knight%22&source=bl&ots=3uptbNPOyg&sig=EtUZiczLa-4FdWKN5FpH0-Azmo0&hl=en&ei=VIvtTKvWJcmwhQe6iaXMDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CCsQ6AEwAzgK#v=onepage&q=%22Edward%20Austen%22%20%22Thomas%20Knight%22&f=false John Burke ''A genealogical and heraldic history of the commoners of Great Britain'']</ref>
When Edward was twelve years old he was presented to [[Thomas Knight (MP for Kent)|Thomas]] and Catherine Knight, who were relatives of his father and were wealthy.<ref name="jaworld">[http://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/2009/10/07/edward-austen-knight-a-tightwad-or-a-man-with-heavy-responsibilities/ Jane Austen World]</ref> Thomas had given George Austen the living at Steventon in 1761.<ref>[http://www.victoriacountyhistory.ac.uk/explore/items/jane-austen-steventon Victoria Country History]</ref> They were childless and took an interest in Edward, making him their legal heir in about 1783.<ref name="Stanford">{{Cite web |url=http://www.stanford.edu/group/auden/cgi-bin/auden/individual.php?pid=I21385&ged=auden-bicknell.ged |title=Stanford WH Auden Family Ghosts |access-date=25 November 2012 |archive-date=21 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021023701/http://www.stanford.edu/group/auden/cgi-bin/auden/individual.php?pid=I21385&ged=auden-bicknell.ged |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://famous.adoption.com/famous/knight-edward-austen.html |title=Famous Adoptions |access-date=25 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911115500/http://famous.adoption.com/famous/knight-edward-austen.html |archive-date=11 September 2017 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name=Burke>[https://books.google.com/books?id=U_CvyAF3ko4C&dq=%22Edward+Austen%22+%22Thomas+Knight%22&pg=PA444 John Burke ''A genealogical and heraldic history of the commoners of Great Britain'']</ref>

⚫
The Knights paid for Edward to go on a [[Grand Tour]] when he was 18 years old, and he recorded many of his experiences in his Journals.<ref>[http://www.jasna.org/bookrev/br213p24.html Jane Austen Society of North America] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729034053/http://www.jasna.org/bookrev/br213p24.html |date=29 July 2012 }}</ref> These have been edited by [[Jon Hunter Spence]] and published by the Jane Austen Society of Australia in 2004.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books/about/Jane_Austen_s_Brother_Abroad.html?id=qsT2AQAACAAJ&redir_esc=y Google books]</ref>


⚫
The Knights paid for Edward to go on a [[Grand Tour]] when he was 18 years old, and he recorded many of his experiences in his Journals.<ref>[http://www.jasna.org/bookrev/br213p24.html Jane Austen Society of North America] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729034053/http://www.jasna.org/bookrev/br213p24.html |date=29 July 2012 }}</ref> These have been edited by [[Jon Hunter Spence]] and published by the Jane Austen Society of Australia in 2004.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=qsT2AQAACAAJ Google books]</ref>
[[File:Godmersham Hall - geograph.org.uk - 407850.jpg|thumb|240x240px|[[Godmersham Park]], Kent]]
When Thomas died in 1794 he left the [[Godmersham Park]] estate to his wife for her life, with the [[remainder (law)|remainder]] going to Edward. She left Godmersham before her death to move to Canterbury, and gave up the estates to Edward.<ref>[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=63421 British History Online]</ref>
When Thomas died in 1794 he left the [[Godmersham Park]] estate to his wife for her life, with the [[remainder (law)|remainder]] going to Edward. She left Godmersham before her death to move to Canterbury, and gave up the estates to Edward.<ref>[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=63421 British History Online]</ref>


Edward inherited three estates from Thomas Knight, in [[Steventon, Hampshire|Steventon]], Chawton and Godmersham (which included a manor at [[Wittersham]]). The libraries from these estates were used extensively by Jane Austen.<ref>[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Edward+Austen+Knight%27s+Godmersham+Library+and+Jane+Austen%27s+Emma.%28AGM...-a0179934391 The Free Library]</ref> When [[War of the First Coalition|war broke out with France]], Edward raised and was appointed [[Captain (armed forces)|Captain]] of the Godmersham and Molash Company of the East Kent [[British Volunteer Corps|Volunteers]].<ref>Le Faye, Deirdre (1989), [https://books.google.com/books?id=iIjEPWg29PMC&pg=PA140&dq=volunteers+jane+austen&hl=en&sa=X&ei=LH-JUb2TEarR7Aazl4DIAQ&ved=0CEcQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=volunteers%20jane%20austen&f=false ''Jane Austen: A Family Record''], Cambridge University Press, {{ISBN|0-521-82691-8}} p. 140</ref>
Edward inherited three estates from Thomas Knight, in [[Steventon, Hampshire|Steventon]], Chawton and Godmersham (which included a manor at [[Wittersham]]). The libraries from these estates were used extensively by Jane Austen.<ref>[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Edward+Austen+Knight%27s+Godmersham+Library+and+Jane+Austen%27s+Emma.%28AGM...-a0179934391 The Free Library]</ref> When [[War of the First Coalition|war broke out with France]], Edward raised and was appointed [[Captain (armed forces)|Captain]] of the Godmersham and Molash Company of the East Kent [[British Volunteer Corps|Volunteers]].<ref>Le Faye, Deirdre (1989), [https://books.google.com/books?id=iIjEPWg29PMC&dq=volunteers+jane+austen&pg=PA140 ''Jane Austen: A Family Record''], Cambridge University Press, {{ISBN|0-521-82691-8}} p. 140</ref>


In 1812 due to a stipulation in Catherine Knight's will, he changed his legal name to Knight.<ref name="jaworld" /><ref name="Stanford" />
In 1812 due to a stipulation in Catherine Knight's will, he changed his legal name to Knight.<ref name="jaworld" /><ref name="Stanford" />
Line 45: Line 82:
==External links==
==External links==
Edward's silk coat:
Edward's silk coat:
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld/objects/I6ivOhyvSv6IG8alT1VWpA BBC History]
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld/objects/I6ivOhyvSv6IG8alT1VWpA BBC History]


Link to portrait:
Link to portrait:
* [https://archive.is/20121217114352/https://www.artfinder.com/work/edward-austen-knight/ Art Finder]
* [https://archive.today/20121217114352/https://www.artfinder.com/work/edward-austen-knight/ Art Finder]


{{Jane Austen|state=collapsed}}
{{Jane Austen|state=collapsed}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Knight, Edward Austen}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Knight, Edward Austen}}
[[Category:1768 births]]
[[Category:1767 births]]
[[Category:1852 deaths]]
[[Category:1852 deaths]]
[[Category:Austen family]]
[[Category:Austen family]]
[[Category:People from Basingstoke and Deane]]
[[Category:People from Steventon, Hampshire]]
[[Category:High Sheriffs of Kent]]
[[Category:High Sheriffs of Kent]]
[[Category:People from Chawton]]
[[Category:People from Godmersham]]
[[Category:People from Deane, Hampshire]]

Revision as of 07:03, 7 May 2024

Edward Austen Knight
Austen around 1788
Born(1767-10-07)7 October 1767
Deane, Hampshire, England
Died19 November 1852(1852-11-19) (aged 85)
Godmersham, Kent, England
OccupationHigh Sheriff of Kent
Military Service
AllegianceGreat Britain
Service/branchBritish Militia
Years of service1792-1800
RankCaptain
UnitEast Kent Volunteers
Battles/warsNapoleonic Wars
Spouse
Elizabeth Bridges
​
​
(m. 1791; died 1808)​
Children11
Parents
Relatives

Edward Austen Knight (born Edward Austen; 7 October 1767 – 19 November 1852) was the third eldest brother of Jane Austen, and provided her with the use of a cottage in Chawton where she lived for the last years of her life (now Jane Austen's House Museum). He was also High Sheriff of Kent in 1801.

Family

Edward was born in Deane, Hampshire, the third of eight children born to Rev. George Austen and Cassandra Leigh. He had five brothers: James (1765–1819), George (1766–1838), Henry Thomas (1771–1850), Francis William (Frank) (1774–1865), Charles John (1779–1852), and two sisters, Cassandra and Jane Austen.

He married Elizabeth Bridges (1773–1808), daughter of Sir Brook Bridges, 3rd Baronet on 27 December 1791, and together they had eleven children:[1][2][3]

For a period, some of Edward and Elizabeth's children were taught by a governess, Anne Sharp, who became a close friend of Edward's sister Jane. Though she was with the family for only two years, Jane Austen remained in touch with Anne and referred to her as "an excellent kind friend".[5]

Knight inheritance

Presentation of Edward Austen to Thomas and Catherine Knight

When Edward was twelve years old he was presented to Thomas and Catherine Knight, who were relatives of his father and were wealthy.[6] Thomas had given George Austen the living at Steventon in 1761.[7] They were childless and took an interest in Edward, making him their legal heir in about 1783.[8][9][10]

The Knights paid for Edward to go on a Grand Tour when he was 18 years old, and he recorded many of his experiences in his Journals.[11] These have been edited by Jon Hunter Spence and published by the Jane Austen Society of Australia in 2004.[12]

Godmersham Park, Kent

When Thomas died in 1794 he left the Godmersham Park estate to his wife for her life, with the remainder going to Edward. She left Godmersham before her death to move to Canterbury, and gave up the estates to Edward.[13]

Edward inherited three estates from Thomas Knight, in Steventon, Chawton and Godmersham (which included a manor at Wittersham). The libraries from these estates were used extensively by Jane Austen.[14] When war broke out with France, Edward raised and was appointed Captain of the Godmersham and Molash Company of the East Kent Volunteers.[15]

In 1812 due to a stipulation in Catherine Knight's will, he changed his legal name to Knight.[6][8]

Estates

The rectory at Steventon, where the Austen family had spent their time growing up, and Jane is said to have written the first drafts of several of her books, was severely damaged by flooding and was knocked down by Edward in about 1823,[16] and a new rectory was built by Edward for his son, William Knight, who had taken on the living.[17]

Edward made several improvements to Chawton House, including planting a walled garden, and forming new parkland to take advantage of the views from the house.

References

  1. ^ Genealogy Links
  2. ^ Chawton Manor and its owners: a family history p.172
  3. ^ Peerage.com
  4. ^ Republic of Pemberly
  5. ^ Paula Byrne (2013). The Real Jane Austen. William Collins. p. 260. ISBN 9780007358342.
  6. ^ a b Jane Austen World
  7. ^ Victoria Country History
  8. ^ a b "Stanford WH Auden Family Ghosts". Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  9. ^ "Famous Adoptions". Archived from the original on 11 September 2017. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  10. ^ John Burke A genealogical and heraldic history of the commoners of Great Britain
  11. ^ Jane Austen Society of North America Archived 29 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ Google books
  13. ^ British History Online
  14. ^ The Free Library
  15. ^ Le Faye, Deirdre (1989), Jane Austen: A Family Record, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0-521-82691-8 p. 140
  16. ^ Austen Only
  17. ^ Jane Austen’s World

Edward's silk coat:

Link to portrait:

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Edward_Austen_Knight&oldid=1222666365"