Jane Austen's Sailor Brothers

Two of Jane Austen's brothers made successful careers in the Navy: Francis (1774-1865) rose to the rank of Admiral; Charles (1779-1852) to Rear-Admiral. Jane's naval heroes, most notably Captain Wentworth in Persuasion, as well as much of her knowledge of naval life and contemporary affairs during the Napoleonic Wars, owe much to the stories and letters of her brothers. Written by Francis Austen's...