JASP Speaker Preview: Jennie Batchelor

Jennie Batchelor is Professor of Eighteenth-Century and Romantic Studies and Head of English and Related Literature at the University of York. She has published widely on women writers of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, on early magazines, and on women's work, dress and craft. Her two most recent books are The Lady's Magazine and the Making of Literary History (2022), which won the Colby Prize, and (with Alison Larkin) the popular history-craft book, Jane Austen Embroidery (2020).

Batchelor is a long-time collaborator with the Jane Austen Collaborative (including Jane Austen & Co. and the Jane Austen Summer Program). For those who will be attending JASP 2025, there are two chances to meet this scholar and author. On Thursday, she will be hosting an embroidery workshop, so participants may practice doing some needlework of their own. But Batchelor is also serving as a lecturer and her talk, “Much Use and more beauty: Transatlantic Domestic Arts in the Era of Jane Austen” will be presented on Saturday, June 21st at 2 p.m.

If you cannot attend or simply wish to familiarize yourself with Batchelor’s work before going to the event, there are two lectures currently available, featuring Jennie Batchelor, on the Jane Austen Summer Program’s YouTube channel.

Crafting with Jane Austen

Jennie Batchelor describes Jane Austen as an “exquisite literary crafter”. In this instance, relies heavily on the common usage of the term for she goes onto explain that being a “craftswoman” was not always as well-received as it is in our common society.

In the 18th century and early 19th century, the word “craft” was used to describe people who were cunning. Sometimes, it applied to politicians. In Austen’s novels, there are plenty of “crafty” characters such as Frank Churchill or George Wickham.

Crafts, as they are considered in the traditional sense, like needlework, were often criticized. They were sometimes thought to reflect females and their vanity. Young ladies were expected to be accomplished, but often those same achievements were not lauded. The craftswoman was not also an artist.

Jane Austen and the Magazines

It does not seem that Jane Austen ever wrote for periodicals, even though many of her contemporaries did. Her works were reviewed there and nothing more. Some scholars say Jane Austen turned away from periodicals. She rejected periodicals because she did not want to be sullied by the connection with magazines. She wished to be a novelist; therefore, she did not submit works to periodicals. In this lively discussion, Batchelor disagrees. She points out how members of the Austen family regularly read periodicals. They took delight in perusing journals, women’s magazines, fashion plates, and pocketbooks (which are much like diaries).

The Lady’s Magazine was the most important periodical of its day. It is believed that Jane Austen adapted patterns, especially for embroidery, she got from The Lady’s Magazine. Jane Austen’s relationship with The Lady’s Magazine was not one of dismissal but was much more intimate. The periodical had a very positive influence on her writing. It is full of essays on educational subjects including history, geography, and sciences. Travel writing features prominently as well. There are biographies, poetry, and book reviews. Home and foreign news was reported alongside excellent short stories and fashion reports with hand colored fashion plates. The Lady’s Magazine, a monthly publication, which ran from 1770-1832, helped shape and make Jane Austen.