What Was Jane Austen Hiding?

Jane Austen is one of the most beloved authors in English literature, known for her sharp wit, unforgettable heroines, and timeless novels like Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma. Born in 1775 in Hampshire, England, Jane grew up in a large, close-knit family and began writing stories in her teens, capturing the complexities of class, relationships, and society during the Georgian era.

Her life, however, remains something of a mystery. She never married, published anonymously during her lifetime, and much of her personal correspondence was destroyed after her death in 1817.

The person responsible for that destruction? Her sister, Cassandra Austen — Jane’s lifelong confidante and the person who arguably knew her best. The two sisters were exceptionally close, living together for most of their lives and exchanging letters when apart.

But why did Cassandra burn so many of those letters?

To find out what Jane Austen might have been hiding, and why her sister went into full damage control, watch our latest video. It’s not the Jane Austen you met in school.