Gentlemen of Uncertain Fortune
How Younger Sons Made Their Way in Jane Austen's England
Published on 27. August 2019
Book
Hardback
384 pages
978-0-300-24431-1 (ISBN)
Description
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.
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.
Reviews / Votes
"Energetic and scholarly."-Paula Byrne, Times (UK)"A readable book."-Jonathan Guthrie, Financial Times
"Muir gives us plenty of detail-numbers recruited at different periods, premiums paid and salaries earned-he illuminates the hard facts with vignettes of actual lives lived."-Richard Francis, Spectator
"Meticulously researched and eminently readable."-Fergus Butler-Gallie, Literary Review
"Jane Austen's brothers are among the examples considered here, as the options are explored in fascinating detail."-Discover Britain
"[Rory Muir] writes eloquently and entertainingly about his subject matter, giving anecdotal detail alongside the financial, and so brings these men and their careers to life."-Matilda Harden, The Georgian
"Written with the light, engaging style, and deft balancing of detail, analysis and anecdote. . . . Muir has achieved an admirable mastery of a wider-ranging topic, offering a ground-breaking comparative study of the career options that faced younger sons of the gentry."-Zack White, Romance, Revolution & Reform
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
8 pp color illus.
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-300-24431-1 (9780300244311)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
10/2019
1st Edition
Yale University Press
€18.18
Available for download
Person
Rory Muir is a visiting research fellow at the University of Adelaide and a renowned expert on British history. His books include Britain and the Defeat of Napoleon and his two-part biography of Wellington, which won the SAHR Templer Medal.