Publication History

Jane Austen completed the first version of Pride and Prejudice, originally titled First Impressions, between October 1796 and August 1797. Her father immediately lobbied for the book’s publication with Cadell and Davies, but the London publishers refused it without a reading. Austen returned to her draft of First Impressions sometime after 1809. It is unclear how many revisions the original underwent, since no manuscript has been found. However, clues indicate that significant changes were made because Austen refers in her letters to having “lopt & cropt” the manuscript.

After the successful publication in 1811 of Austen’s first novel, Sense and Sensibility, the publisher Thomas Egerton was pleased to accept the reworked First Impressions. The title was changed to Pride and Prejudice, since another book titled First Impressions had appeared around the turn of the century. Pride and Prejudice was finally published early in 1813. The first edition of 1,500 copies sold out in six months and was quickly followed by a second edition in the fall of 1813 and a third in 1817. Since Austen had sold Pride and Prejudice for a flat fee of £110, she earned no additional royalties from these later editions.

Despite her success, Austen published anonymously throughout her lifetime. Sense and Sensibility was said to be authored “By a Lady,” and the title page of Pride and Prejudice read “By the Author of Sense and Sensibility.” Austen’s authorship had always been an open secret among close friends and family. Her brother Henry could not resist bragging about his sister’s accomplishments, especially as her work gained in popularity, and Austen’s anonymity became less guarded toward the end of her life.

Austen’s novels were virtually forgotten after her death and not reprinted until 1833. Toward the end of the century, illustrated editions appeared with drawings and plates by fashionable artists such as Hugh Thomson and H.M. and C.E. Brock. Throughout the 20th century, Austen’s novels have never been out of print. Countless print editions and film and television adaptations have appeared, proving the continued popularity and longevity of Pride and Prejudice.

Sources

• Dwyer, June. Jane Austen. Continuum, 1989.
• Lefroy, Helen. Jane Austen. Sutton, 1997.

Movie Versions

Pride and Prejudice
The film stars Keira Knightley, Donald Sutherland and Judi Dench and opens in theaters on November 11, 2005.

Pride and Prejudice
(MGM, 1940) starring Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier, 117 minutes

Pride and Prejudice
(A&E, 1995) starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth, 300 minutes

Bride & Prejudice
(Miramax, 2004) Bollywood musical starring Aishwarya Rai and Martin Henderson, 111 minutes