23 December 1815: Emma is published

In late 1815, in England, The Morning Chronicle announced the forthcoming publication of a novel named Emma, and on 23 December, the world became a better place in which to live – Jane Austen’s Emma was available.

The title page gave the title and stated that the book was “By the Author of Pride and Prejudice”. Austen’s name only appeared on the book when it was reprinted after her death. The first edition also gave the planned publication date of 1816, even though the book actually appeared earlier – late in 1815. Written after Austen’s move to Chawton, Emma was her last novel to be published before her death in 1817.

Before she began, Austen wrote, “I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like.” The title character, Emma Woodhouse, is a pretty and intelligent 20-year-old woman who is spoiled, headstrong, and self-satisfied. She greatly overestimates her own matchmaking abilities, is blind to the dangers of meddling in other people’s lives, and her imagination and perceptions often lead her astray. The novel covers a period of fourteen months, from September of one year through to the November of the next (probably the years 1813 to 1814).

Emma was well reviewed and praised by the eminent Sir Walter Scott, but during her lifetime, Jane Austen made only about £40 from Emma. First editions today sell for small fortunes in auction houses and critics almost invariably rank it as her greatest novel.

The novel has been adapted for a number of films, television programmes, and stage plays.