A life-sized statue of Jane Austen is set to be unveiled in the grounds of Winchester Cathedral, marking the 250th anniversary of the celebrated author’s birth. The statue, created by artist Martin Jennings, will depict Austen seated at her writing table, complete with her distinctive ringlets and cap.
Jane Austen, renowned worldwide for novels such as Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, and Northanger Abbey, was born in the village of Steventon near Basingstoke in 1775. She spent her final years in Winchester, dying in 1817 at a house on College Street, and was laid to rest in the cathedral. Her grave continues to be a key destination for visitors, according to Visit Winchester.
The new statue is the latest in Jennings’ celebrated body of work. He previously created the Charles Dickens statue in Portsmouth and designed the first crowned portrait of King Charles III for the Royal Mint. His meticulous research for the Austen statue involved studying available portraits and historical descriptions to create a likeness of the author, despite no uncontested images of her existing.
Plans for a Jane Austen statue in Winchester were initially proposed several years ago but were shelved in 2019, as the cathedral needed to focus on other priorities. The project was revived in August 2024 when Winchester City Council officially approved the proposals, paving the way for the forthcoming unveiling.
The statue will be revealed following a special thanksgiving service at the cathedral, which will include a newly composed hymn celebrating Austen’s life and literary achievements. The Inner Close of the cathedral will provide a fitting backdrop, placing Austen by her iconic writing table where she crafted works that have endured for more than two centuries.
Jane Austen’s novels continue to inspire adaptations for stage and screen. Her works have been interpreted countless times for television and film, with Netflix currently producing a new version of Pride and Prejudice. Beyond Winchester, sites across southern England are closely associated with Austen’s life and writings. Lyme Regis on the Dorset coast features in Persuasion, while Bath was a setting for Persuasion and Northanger Abbey. Reading, where Austen attended boarding school, is believed to have inspired Mrs Goddard’s school in Emma.
The unveiling of the statue not only celebrates Austen’s enduring cultural influence but also reinforces Winchester’s place as a destination for literary tourism. Visitors will have the opportunity to connect with the author’s legacy, exploring the cathedral and city she called home, and reflecting on her timeless contribution to English literature.
For fans of literature, history, and art, the Jane Austen statue in Winchester offers a tangible tribute to one of England’s most beloved writers, bridging the gap between past and present and ensuring her memory continues to inspire generations.
