A new display celebrating the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth has opened in the Treasures Gallery, offering visitors an intimate look at the novelist’s life, craft and enduring legacy.
Unveiled on 19 November 2025, Jane Austen at 250 brings together a selection of rare manuscripts, early editions and personal correspondence. Among the highlights is the only surviving manuscript of Austen’s final completed novel, Persuasion, shown open at chapters 10 and 11 from July 1816.
Visitors can also explore a first edition of *Sense and Sensibility* (1811), published anonymously as “By a Lady,” as well as the renowned 1894 “Peacock Edition” of *Pride and Prejudice*, celebrated for its intricate gilt cover design. Early glimpses of Austen’s talent are represented by The History of England (1791), written when she was just 15, alongside a July 1813 letter to her brother Frank.
“The manuscripts and rare books on display, from her earliest writing to her final completed novel, Persuasion, offer tangible glimpses into Austen’s life and relationships as well as the literary evolution of her famous novels”,- said Catherine Angerson, Curator of Modern Archives.
The display runs at the Library’s London site until 15 March 2026. Visitors can learn more about the items featured through the accompanying blog post. Photo by Wikimedia commons.