Gentlemen of Uncertain Fortune
How Younger Sons Made Their Way in Jane Austen's England
By Rory Muir
A portrait of Jane Austen's England told through the career paths of younger sons-men of good family but small fortune
In Regency England the eldest son usually inherited almost everything while his younger brothers, left with little inheritance, had to make a crucial decision: what should they do to make an independent living? Rory Muir weaves together the stories of many obscure and well-known young men, shedding light on an overlooked aspect of Regency society. This is the first scholarly yet accessible exploration of the lifestyle and prospects of these younger sons.
- ISBN:
- 9780300244311
- Format:
- Hardback
- Pages:
- 384
- Published:
- Publisher:
- Yale University Press
- Imprint:
- Yale University Press