Jan Merriman’s Jane Austen's Remarkable Aunt, Philadelphia Hancock is a captivating exploration of the life of Philadelphia Austen, a little-known yet fascinating figure who blazed her own path in a restrictive society. Rated four stars, this biography illuminates a remarkable woman whose story is both a reflection of her times and an inspiration to future generations, including her famous niece, Jane Austen.

Merriman’s portrayal of Philadelphia—or "Aunt Phila"—introduces readers to a woman who, despite being orphaned and constrained by the social limitations of eighteenth-century England, seized opportunities to carve out her own path. Her story is framed by both personal resilience and the historical context of British colonialism, as she ultimately embarks on an extraordinary journey to India, where she would marry and become part of the vibrant world of the Honourable East India Company. This narrative is both eye-opening and meticulously researched, showcasing Philadelphia’s life within the larger social currents of the era.

Philadelphia’s early life, marked by hardship and self-sufficiency, is particularly striking. Following a millinery apprenticeship in London, a rather unconventional path for a woman of her standing, she took the bold step of pursuing marriage abroad in colonial India—an option that, while radical, held the promise of financial security and social advancement. Her choice to make a life in India with an arranged marriage is presented with sensitivity, emphasizing her courage in venturing into an unfamiliar world and adapting to its customs, people, and politics.

In tracing Philadelphia’s story, Merriman skillfully unveils how her life impacted the young Jane Austen, whose early writings feature characters, like Cecilia Wynne in Catharine or the Bower, that echo Philadelphia's experiences. Merriman shows how Aunt Phila’s resilience and independence may have planted seeds in Austen’s own characters, who are known for their wit, intelligence, and spirit. Moreover, Merriman delves into the bond between Philadelphia’s daughter, Eliza, and Jane, further suggesting that Phila’s legacy contributed to Austen’s own understanding of complex female characters.

Rich in detail and historical insight, Jane Austen's Remarkable Aunt not only highlights Philadelphia’s journey but also provides an intimate look at the limitations and opportunities women faced in the eighteenth century. It’s a fascinating read for Austen enthusiasts and anyone interested in women's history. Merriman has crafted a thoughtful biography that honors a “girl of genius and feeling” whose life, though largely forgotten, reflects the strength and tenacity that define the women in Austen’s novels.

Jane Austen's Remarkable Aunt: Philadelphia Austen Hancock delves into the life of one of the lesser-known yet influential figures in Jane Austen's world—her aunt, Philadelphia Austen Hancock.
Philadelphia Austen Hancock, often overshadowed by her famous niece, led a remarkable life marked by adventure, resilience, and wit. Born in 1730, she ventured to India as a young woman, a bold move for someone of her time, where she eventually married Tysoe Hancock, a surgeon employed by the East India Company. The book paints a vivid picture of her life in India, her role in the colonial world, and her relationships within the Austen family. Notably, her daughter, Eliza de Feuillide, became a beloved figure in Jane Austen's life, and many believe that she was the inspiration for some of Austen’s more glamorous characters.
The author highlights how her letters reveal a woman of intelligence, practicality, and humour, and also touches on Philadelphia’s financial struggles, her efforts to secure her daughter’s future through marriage, and the personal losses she endured.
Through Philadelphia's life story, readers gain valuable insights into the broader social and cultural milieu of the 18th century, including the role of women, colonialism, and class dynamics. This a must-read for fans of Jane Austen and those interested in the historical backdrop that shaped her world.
In conclusion, Jane Austen's Remarkable Aunt enriches our understanding of the Austen family and provides a compelling narrative of an adventurous woman whose life undoubtedly had an impact on Jane Austen’s work. This biography is a wonderful blend of social history, personal letters, and family dynamics, offering an intimate glimpse into the Austen family and the complex world they navigated.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pen & Sword for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

A lot of the book is EIC history in Bengal through the lens of men like Hancock and Hastings rather than Philadelphia’s life. There’s no getting around we only know snippets about her. Direct accounts are very few. Her life events are filled out with historical context, location descriptions, friends’, family, and similar people’s letters, and other people’s more detailed histories. There are too times where suppositions and guesses are made as to who Philadelphia met, what she felt, and what she did. With so much unknown, we never see what made her remarkable. We did, however, learn about the men surrounding her life.

Thank you to Pen and Sword History and NetGalley for an advance readers copy.

What seemed like an unusual and intriguing biography, became a disappointing one.

So little is known of the life of Philadelphia Austen Hancock, that the author depends on snippets of letters (including gossip) and documents for other, better known 18th century figures, mostly men. The author engages in a great deal of speculation about this aunt of Jane Austen’s: many statements about her are couched in “must have been,” “may have been,” “might have been.” The detailed family genealogy and their many friendships also become hard to follow.

In fact, the focus is on life in India for the English associated with East India Company, and since women’s experiences were so little recorded, much is about the men who were associated with Philadelphia Hancock. As most of them were soldiers, surgeons, administrators, or merchants, events are overly detailed about those paths in both India and London.

Finally, in a world of people named George and Jane, Eliza and James, nothing is said about how Philadelphia acquired her unusual name.
Given that this book is so heavily filled with the minutiae of men’s lives in India, and further is available only in hardcover, at $42, it seems it belongs more in an academic or research library than a personal one.