1766 - 1838

 

George Austen was the second eldest son to George and Cassandra Austen. Little was known about George at first as he was omitted from James Edward Austen-Leigh’s (Jane's nephew) memoir of Jane. This is not to say that it was an attempt to cover up his existence as the memoir was written 50 years after Jane's death and 30 years after George's. There is no portrait available of George.

 

George's upbringing was no different to that of his siblings initially, but it was clear that he was not developing at the same pace as the others. It is thought that he was mentally handicapped but others belief that he was merely deaf as Jane remarked she was fluent in "finger speaking". 

 

Jane's letters do not mention George, however, her sister Cassandra did burn a lot of letters following Jane's death. George is mentioned in letters by other family members. Their mother described in a letter to her sister in law in 1770 that George had suffered a fit. It is generally believed that George also suffered from epilepsy. 

 

Thomas Leigh, Cassandra's (Snr) brother, also had mental/handicapped problems and lived with a family called Cullam in the village of Monk Sherborne (8-9miles from Steventon). George was sent to live with the same family to be cared for and remained with them until his death in 1838. George Cullam noted for the death certificate that George Austen was "a gentleman".