Illawarra scholar and author Jan Merriman is shining a light on the often-overlooked women who shaped literary history, as part of Kiama Library’s extended celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth.
Merriman’s fascination with Austen began in the 1970s, when she was a high school English teacher and Austen’s novel Emma was part of the Higher School Certificate syllabus. Over the past five decades, Merriman has dedicated countless hours to studying Austen and her circle, conducting research in libraries worldwide—from Oxford and Cambridge in the UK to Albion Park and Shellharbour in Australia.
Later this month, Merriman will deliver a special talk at Kiama Library, exploring not only Austen’s celebrated life but also the remarkable women who inspired her. Despite the extensive documentation of Austen herself—including preserved writings housed in the Bodleian Library—little is known about key female figures who influenced her work.
“It’s wonderful to see so much interest in someone I have admired for so many years,” said Merriman, who is a member of the Australian, North American, and UK Jane Austen societies.
Merriman has authored numerous academic papers and presented at international conferences dedicated to Austen. Among her most notable achievements is her novel Jane Austen’s Remarkable Aunt Philadelphia Hancock. The book, the product of eight years of meticulous research, uncovers the life of Austen’s aunt Philadelphia Hancock and her daughter Eliza—Jane Austen’s first cousin and confidante—both of whom inspired characters in Austen’s early novels.
“Philadelphia brought another dimension to a young Jane Austen’s life,” Merriman explained. “But very little was written about her, so I set out to discover her story and the impact she had on Austen’s writing. Many influential women of the time were omitted from history, but we are now rectifying that by telling their stories and bringing them to life.”
Through extensive archival research, Merriman traced Philadelphia’s life as a milliner, mother, surgeon’s wife, and countess, revealing her travels across England, France, and India, as well as her marriage to a French count and the forced return to England during the French Revolution.
Merriman also uncovered letters Philadelphia wrote to her family, shedding light on personal connections that influenced Austen’s work.
Following the publication of her novel in late 2024, Merriman was invited to speak at Chawton Cottage—the home where Austen wrote classics such as Pride and Prejudice, famously adapted by the BBC multiple times.
For Merriman, now retired from teaching and university lecturing, the journey from a high school classroom to Austen’s historic home has been a career highlight.
Jan Merriman will present her talk at Kiama Library on June 20 at 6 p.m., hosted by the Friends of Kiama Library (FOKL). Attendees can purchase tickets for $25 (FOKL members) or $30 (guests), which include drinks and finger food. Merriman will also be available for book signings.
This event will launch six months of Jane Austen-themed programming at Kiama Library, including a free monthly Jane Austen Book Club. The first book, Northanger Abbey, will be discussed on June 24, culminating in a discussion of Pride and Prejudice on November 25.
