Jane Austen died from an unknown illness on July 18, 1817 and is buried in the cathedral in Winchester (Cope 182). Although her cause of death is still undetermined, many believe that she died of Addison's disease, a rare hormonal disease ("Jane Austen's Will").
The onset of her disease struck nearly a year before she succumbed to it. It was at this time that she wrote to her sister complaining of severe pain (Cope 182). In letters that she wrote to her family, Austen described the pain that she experienced the year before her death as well as the weakness that she felt on a daily basis. If it is true that Austen did in fact die of Addison's disease, then hers is the first recorded case (Cope 183). |
"In spite of my hopes and promises when I wrote to you I have since been very ill indeed. An attack of my sad complaint seized me within a few days afterwards-the most severe I ever hand and coming upon me after weeks of indisposition, it reduced me very low."
--Jane Austen (in a letter to friend Anne Sharp)
Jane Austen's last will and testament was written a few months before her death while at home at Chawton in Hampshire. According to the will everything was left to her elder sister, Cassandra. It was Cassandra who nursed Jane through her illness and as considered her best friend. After her death, her entire
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fortune was valued at £800. Since the will was never witnessed two of Austen's friends had to swear in written statements that they had known Jane for years and that the handwriting was in fact her own ("Jane Austen's Will"). The short length of her will is remarkable considering she is such a premier writer.
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“I have lost a treasure, such a Sister, such a friend as never can have been surpassed." |
"Jane lies in Winchester—blessed be her shade! |
"What a pity such a gifted creature died so early!" |