Cambridge to publish landmark book for 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth

16 August 2024

By Rosalind Moran

a golden fountain pen nib

It is a truth universally acknowledged that the 250th birthday of a celebrated author is a great occasion on which to publish a book about them.

To this end, Cambridge University Press is set to publish a new book on Jane Austen and her works by Professor Janet Todd in 2025, to mark the 250th anniversary of the novelist’s birth.

Living with Jane Austen will draw together ideas and expertise spanning a career spent researching, writing and thinking about Austen and exploring why the writer should still matter to us now.

The Press has long been a proud publisher of Jane Austen’s writing, as well as of writing and scholarship about her works. As well as The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen, for which Professor Todd served as a general editor, we have also published titles including The Hidden Jane Austen by John Wiltshire, Reading Jane Austen by Jenny Davidson, and Jane Austen’s Style by Anne Toner.

Cambridge University Press is also pleased to be continuing a long-standing relationship with Professor Todd, having previously published her volumes, Jane Austen in Context and The Cambridge Introduction to Jane Austen.

a row of old buildings

Professor Todd said: "In 1975, I came to England from the USA to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth. 

“I’m now thrilled to be marking the 250th by editing a new edition and by writing Living with Jane Austen, about 50 years exploring this most marvellous and chameleon of authors."

Bethany Thomas, literature publisher at Cambridge University Press, said: “We’re excited to be publishing Janet’s moving and thoughtful semi-memoir which reflects on a life spent with Austen and what her works might mean to us today alongside a new collector’s edition of the complete works to mark next year’s milestone anniversary.

“Janet’s research and writing have been highly influential in shaping how people study and understand women’s writing in English. Her new book on Jane Austen and how she is understood today will help shape the conversation around Austen for decades to come.”

front cover of Jane Austen in Context, edited by Janet Todd

Jane Austen in Context, edited by Janet Todd

Jane Austen in Context, edited by Janet Todd

front cover of The Cambridge Introduction to Jane Austen, by Janet Todd

The Cambridge Introduction to Jane Austen, by Janet Todd

The Cambridge Introduction to Jane Austen, by Janet Todd

Front covers of the books in The Cambridge Jane Austen box set (publication forthcoming)

Front covers of the books in The Cambridge Jane Austen box set (publication forthcoming)

Front covers of the books in The Cambridge Jane Austen box set (publication forthcoming)

Living with Jane Austen will be published in March 2025.

Cambridge University Press will also launch The Cambridge Jane Austen, a new collector’s edition of Austen’s six novels, plus volumes of her childhood writings and later manuscripts. The luxury volumes will be based on the texts of our eminent 2006 edition of Austen’s work and will include new prefaces and contextual notes, also written by Professor Todd.

This news was reported in The Bookseller.

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