Anne Sharp was a dear friend of Jane Austen's but almost forgotten about until a recent auction of a first edition of Emma belonging to Anne. So who was she?

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She was actually a governess to Austen's niece Fanny Knight at Godmersham in Kent from 1804 to 1806, eventually resigning due to health reasons. It is believed that Austen used Anne's experiences of being a governess for the characters of Mrs Weston and Jane Fairfax in Emma.  This may be why out of all her novels, she sent Anne a presentation first edition of Emma to her friend. 

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In 1814, she was employed by the widow Lady Pilkington of Chevet Park, near Wakefield as governess to her four daughters. Anne went on to establish a boarding school for girls in Everton near Liverpool until her death in 1853. 

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In Claire Tomalin's biography of Jane Austen she describes: “In Miss Sharp she found a truly compatible spirit… Jane took to her at once, and formed a lasting relationship with her… [she occupied] a unique position as the necessary, intelligent friend”. Austen was not bound by the constraints of the differences in their social classes, although it is assumed that Austen's family did not want to publicise this connection because of this. 

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Anne enjoyed writing as well, which is presumably what they may have bonded over. She would write plays for her pupils to perform and was known to write male roles for herself. Austen valued her creative support and would let her friend assess her work. Anne never became a published writer as she needed to earn her keep. Austen hoped that Anne would marry a wealthy employer and live a better life. Unfortunately Anne, like Austen never married. 

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One of Austen's final letters was written to Anne Sharp:

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Your kind Letter my dearest Anne found me in bed, for in spite of my hopes & promises when I wrote to you I have since been very ill indeed. An attack of my sad complaint seized me within a few days afterwards – the most severe I ever had – & coming upon me after weeks of indisposition, it reduced me very low. I have kept my bed since 13. of April, with only removals to a Sopha. Now, I am getting well again, & indeed have been gradually tho’ slowly recovering my strength for the last three weeks. I can sit up in my bed & employ myself, as I am proving to you at this present moment, & really am equal to being out of bed, but that the posture is thought good for me. How to do justice to the kindness of all my family during this illness, is quite beyond me!  … I have so many alleviations & comforts to bless the Almighty for! – My head was always clear, & I had scarcely any pain; my cheif [sic] sufferings were from feverish nights, weakness and Languor… In short, if I live to be an old Woman I must expect to wish I has died now, blessed in the tenderness of such a Family, & before I had survived either them or their affection, – You would have held the memory of your friend Jane too in tender regret I am sure. – But the Providence of God has restored me – & may I be more fit to appear before him when I am summoned, than I sh’d have been now! – Sick or Well, beleive [sic] me ever your attached friend. J. Austen

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Her sister Cassandra sent Anne a lock of Austen's hair, some clasps and a small bodkin (a type of needle) following her death.