Jane Austen Summer Program

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Jane Austen Summer Program Jane Austen Summer Program Inc (or JASP)runs 4 separate programs: (1) an annual 4-day, in-person symposium for all readers of Austen; (2) Teachers workshops for improving literacy of older texts; (3) an online video series interviewing authors with live questions from viewers; and (4) an interactive immersive web environment about Jane Austen in 1813.

The Jane Austen Summer Program is designed to appeal to established scholars, high school teachers, graduate students, and undergraduate students—anyone with a passion for all things Austen is welcome to attend!

Our multi-day symposium focuses on one of Austen’s works each summer. In June 2013, we celebrated the 200th anniversary of the publication of Pride and Prejudice. In June 2014, the symposium focused on another early work–Sense and Sensibility. In June 2015, we
studied the novel that is arguably her masterpiece: "Emma." Participants heard speakers and participated in discussion groups each day, as well as joined in a Regency ball, partook in an English tea, and visited special exhibits tailored to the conference. In 2017, we celebrated 200 years of “Persuasion.” In 2018, we explored both “Northanger Abbey” and Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein.” Last year’s session explore “Pride and Prejudice” and its many afterlives and adaptations. Our 2021 online program -- "Jane Austen's World" -- centered on Jane Austen’s letters and Claire Tomalin’s biography, “Jane Austen: A Life.” In 2022, we focused on Shakespeare and Austen, and in 2023, Jane Austen's teenage writings.

Thanks to:
North Carolina Assembly Dancers
Jane Austen Society of North America (NC Region)
UNC-CH Department of English and Comparative Literature
UNC College of Arts and Sciences
The Institute for the Arts and Humanities
The Department of Dramatic Arts
Carolina Performing Arts
UNC Summer School

Eliza de Feuillide (22 December 1761 – 25 April 1813) was Jane Austen's cousin, and later, sister-in-law. She was the da...
10/02/2026

Eliza de Feuillide (22 December 1761 – 25 April 1813) was Jane Austen's cousin, and later, sister-in-law. She was the daughter of George Austen's sister, Philadelphia Austen Hancock, and Tysoe Saul Hancock, a British surgeon employed by the East India Company. In 1765, she moved to England with her parents. In 1779, she moved to France and married a Jean-François Capot de Feuillide, French Army Captain. He styled himself 'Comte', therefore Eliza became Comtesse de Feuillide.

In 1790, she returned to England with her mother after the beginning of the French Revolution. Her husband, who was loyal to the French monarchy, was arrested for conspiracy against the Republic during the Reign of Terror. In 1794, he was guillotined. In December 1797, Eliza married Henry Austen.

Cosmopolitan and glamorous, Eliza made a great impression on her young cousin Jane and livened the quiet Steventon Rectory with her fascinating stories. They remained close friends until Eliza's death on 13 April 1813, at the age of 51. Jane regularly helped to nurse Eliza during her final years and was at her bedside when she died.

"I never feel more French than when I watch cricket." (Quote from the 2007 film Becoming Jane; screenplay by Kevin Hood ...
10/02/2026

"I never feel more French than when I watch cricket."

(Quote from the 2007 film Becoming Jane; screenplay by Kevin Hood and Sarah Williams)

Happy Birthday to Lucy Cohu who portrayed Eliza De Feuillide in the 2007 biographical film Becoming Jane!

"Though better endowed than the elder sister, Mary had not Anne's understanding or temper. While well, and happy, and pr...
10/02/2026

"Though better endowed than the elder sister, Mary had not Anne's understanding or temper. While well, and happy, and properly attended to, she had great good humour and excellent spirits; but any indisposition sunk her completely; she had no resources for solitude; and inheriting a considerable share of the Elliot self-importance, was very prone to add to every other distress that of fancying herself neglected and ill-used." -from Jane Austen's Persuasion, Volume I Chapter V

Happy Birthday to Amanda Hale who portrayed Mary Musgrove in the 2007 television adaptation of Persuasion!

It's in the United Kingdom and Ireland! While Jane Austen is primarily known for her novels, she also wrote a few poem...
10/01/2026

It's in the United Kingdom and Ireland!

While Jane Austen is primarily known for her novels, she also wrote a few poems throughout her lifetime. One such poem is 'When Wi******er Races' (also known as 'The Wi******er Verses' or 'Written at Wi******er on Tuesday the 15th July 1817'). It was written 15 July 1817, just a few days before her death on 18 July 1817. She was staying at 8 College Street in Wi******er to receive medical treatment from Dr. Lyford, a surgeon at the County Hospital. The Wi******er Races, a fashionable race day, and St Swithin’s Day both occurred on 15 July 1817. It was believed that if it rains on St Swithin's Day, it will continue to rain for 40 days and nights.

-When Wi******er Races-

When Wi******er races first took their beginning
It is said the good people forgot their old Saint
Not applying at all for the leave of Saint Swithin
And that William of Wykeham’s approval was faint.

The races however were fixed and determined
The company came and the Weather was charming
The Lords and the Ladies were satine’d and ermined
And nobody saw any future alarming.–

But when the old Saint was informed of these doings
He made but one Spring from his Shrine to the Roof
Of the Palace which now lies so sadly in ruins
And then he addressed them all standing aloof.

‘Oh! subjects rebellious! Oh Venta depraved
When once we are buried you think we are dead
But behold me immortal! By vice you’re enslaved
You have sinned and must suffer, ten farther he said

These races and revels and dissolute measures
With which you’re debasing a neighboring Plain
Let them stand–You shall meet with your curse in your pleasures
Set off for your course, I’ll pursue with my rain.

Ye cannot but know my command o’er July
Henceforward I’ll triumph in shewing my powers
Shift your race as you will it shall never be dry
The curse upon Venta is July in showers–‘.

"Lucy was naturally clever; her remarks were often just and amusing; and as a companion for half and hour Elinor frequen...
10/01/2026

"Lucy was naturally clever; her remarks were often just and amusing; and as a companion for half and hour Elinor frequently found her agreeable; but her powers had received no aid from education, she was ignorant and illiterate, and her deficiency of all mental improvement, her want of information in the most common particulars, could not be concealed from Miss Dashwood, in spite of her constant endeavour to appear to advantage. Elinor saw, and pitied her for, the neglect of abilities which education might have rendered so respectable; but she saw, with less tenderness of feeling, the thorough want of delicacy, of rectitude, and integrity of mind, which her attentions, her assiduities, her flatteries at the Park betrayed; and she could have no lasting satisfaction in the company of a person who joined insincerity with ignorance; whose want of instruction prevented their meeting in conversation on terms of equality, and whose conduct towards others, made every shew of attention and deference towards herself perfectly valueless." - from Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, Volume I Chapter XXII

Happy (maybe) Birthday to Anna Madeley who portrayed Lucy Steele in the 2008 BBC adaptation of Sense and Sensibility! Some sources list Madeley's birthday as October 1st while others list her birthday as March 8th.

The new film adaptation of Sense and Sensibility will be released in the United States on October 16th! The film stars D...
10/01/2026

The new film adaptation of Sense and Sensibility will be released in the United States on October 16th! The film stars Daisy Edgar-Jones and Esmé Creed-Miles as Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, respectively.

Follow us for Sense and Sensibility content!

Another song, however, was soon begged for. "One more;- they would not fatigue Miss Fairfax on any account, and would on...
09/30/2026

Another song, however, was soon begged for. "One more;- they would not fatigue Miss Fairfax on any account, and would only ask for one more." And Frank Churchill was heard to say, "I think you could manage this without effort; the first part is so very trifling. The strength of the song falls on the second."

Mr. Knightley grew angry.

"That fellow," said he, indignantly, "thinks of nothing but showing off his own voice. Thus must not be."

(Except from Jane Austen's Emma, Volume II Chapter VIII)

"She knew the limitations of her own powers too well to attempt more than she could perform with credit; she wanted neit...
09/30/2026

"She knew the limitations of her own powers too well to attempt more than she could perform with credit; she wanted neither taste nor spirit in the little things which are generally acceptable, and could accompany her own voice well. One accompaniment to her song took her agreeably by surprise- a second, slightly but correctly taken by Frank Churchill. Her pardon was duly begged at the close of the song, and every thing usual followed. He was accused of having a delightful voice, and a perfect knowledge of music; which was properly denied; and that he knew nothing of the matter, and had no voice at all, roundly asserted. They sang together once more; and Emma would then resign her place to Miss Fairfax, whose performance, both vocal and instrumental, she never could attempt to conceal from herself, was infinitely superior to her own."

(Except from Jane Austen's Emma, Volume II Chapter VIII)

"Miss Bennet would not play at all amiss, if she practised more, and could have the advantage of a London master. She ha...
09/30/2026

"Miss Bennet would not play at all amiss, if she practised more, and could have the advantage of a London master. She has a very good notion of fi*****ng, though her taste is not equal to Anne's. Anne would have been a delightful performer, had her health allowed her to learn."

(Excerpt from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Volume II Chapter VIII)

'Savage Dance' is a tune by English musician Thomas Linley (1733-1795) that is featured in the grand two-act pantomime R...
09/30/2026

'Savage Dance' is a tune by English musician Thomas Linley (1733-1795) that is featured in the grand two-act pantomime Robinson Crusoe; or, Harlequin Friday by Richard B. Sheridan. This is an image of the tune copied onto a scrap of paper in what appears to be Jane Austen’s handwriting.

Visit Jane Austen's Desk to learn more about the tune and hear it performed by pianist Laura Klein. See link in comments.

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