21 April 1816: Charlotte Brontë is born

Charlotte Brontë, one of the most renowned English novelists of the 19th century, was born on 21 April 1816, in Thornton, Yorkshire, England. She was the third of six children in the Brontë family, which also included her siblings Maria, Elizabeth, Branwell, Emily and Anne. Her father, Patrick Brontë, was an Irish Anglican clergyman, and her mother, Maria was of Cornish descent.

Charlotte’s early childhood was marked by family tragedies. When she was just five years old, her mother passed away due to cancer, leaving her and her siblings devastated. Her aunt, Elizabeth Branwell, moved in with the family to help take care of the children. Charlotte and her siblings were very close and spent much of their time together, creating stories and imaginary worlds which would later influence their literary works.

In 1824, Charlotte and her sisters Emily, Maria, and Elizabeth were sent to Cowan Bridge School, a harsh boarding school for the daughters of the clergy. The appalling conditions at the school, including cold and hunger, deeply affected Charlotte, and two of her sisters, Maria and Elizabeth, died from tuberculosis contracted at the school. Charlotte and Emily were eventually brought back home, where they were educated by their father and aunt.

Despite these challenges, Charlotte showed a keen interest in literature from a young age. She devoured books and began writing her own stories and poems. Along with her siblings, Charlotte created an imaginary world called Angria, which served as a source of inspiration for her later works. Charlotte’s father encouraged her writing and provided her with access to his extensive library, which fuelled her passion for literature.

In 1842 Charlotte and Emily went to Brussels, Belgium, to study at a boarding school run by Madame Heger, where she improved her language skills and gained exposure to European culture. She fell in love with Constantin Heger, a married man who was her teacher and mentor, and this unrequited love influenced her later writings as well.

After returning to England, Charlotte took up various teaching and governess positions to support her family. In 1846, she published a book of poetry with her sisters, titled Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell, using pen names to conceal their identities. However, the project was a financial failure – only two copies were sold.

Charlotte’s breakthrough came in 1847 when she published her first novel, Jane Eyre, under the pen name Currer Bell. The novel was an instant success and received critical acclaim for its revolutionary portrayal of a young, independent, and morally strong female protagonist. Charlotte’s subsequent novels, including Shirley (1849) and Villette (1853), also gained popularity, cementing her reputation as one of the most prominent writers of her time.

Throughout her life, Charlotte faced personal challenges including the deaths of her siblings. Charlotte’s own life, too, was cut short when she died on 31 March 1855, at the age of 38.