Rev. George Austen

George Austen (1731–1805) was a cleric of the Church of England, rector of Deane and Steventon in Hampshire. He is known as the father of Jane Austen.[1]

Early life

Austen was the son of William Austen, of Tonbridge, Kent.[2] He and his sister Philadelphia[3] were orphaned when George was nine years old, and he was taken under the wing of his wealthy uncle Francis Austen.[4] He attended Tonbridge School and St John's College, Oxford.[2][5]

After matriculating at St John's on 2 July 1747, aged sixteen, Austen graduated BA on 12 February 1751, promoted to MA by seniority in 1754. He was a proctor in 1759 and graduated as a Bachelor of Divinity in 1760.[2]
Career
Steventon Rectory

In 1764, the living at Deane was purchased for Austen by his uncle Francis.[4] The living at Steventon was "given to him by his cousin Mr. Knight".[4]

Toward the end of 1800, Austen retired and the Steventon living was transferred to his son James. With his wife and daughters Cassandra and Jane he went to live in Bath, Somerset, and died there in 1805.[6]