On my recent trip to New York City, I discovered The Morgan Library was showcasing a limited-time exhibition on Jane Austen to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the British author’s birth. As a major fan of Austen’s works (Persuasion and Emma amongst my favorites) and the film adaptations (I’m looking at you, Pride and Prejudice 2005 movie), I needed to visit this exhibit before it left.

The exhibition, titled A Lively Mind, displayed original letters between Jane and her sister, manuscripts, and drawings of Jane herself. Many of the artifacts came from Jane Austen’s house in Chawton, England, including some songs she composed. Various editions of her novels captivated me (I really loved looking at the covers of her works in different languages), and I spent a good deal of time looking closely at the different depictions and engravings of the author.

I even got to see a reconstruction of Austen’s silk pelisse dress as well as her actual gold and turquoise ring.

Jane Austen has always fascinated me. She devoted her life to her works, never marrying and dying at the young age of 41 in 1817.

Of course, the next logical place for me to visit as a fan of Austen is her home in England, as well as Winchester Cathedral, where she is buried.

— Aoife O’Riordan, associate editor