Brookfield, Jane Octavia |
| LITERARY HOST, AUTHOR (ENGLAND) |
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BORN 25 Mar 1821, Clifton, Bristol - DIED 27 Nov 1896, London: Walpole Street, Chelsea BIRTH NAME Elton, Jane Octavia GRAVE LOCATION London: Kensal Green Cemetery, Harrow Road, Kensal Green (075/3 (24445) west of the circle in the south-east quadrant) |
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Jane Octavia Elton was the youngest of the eight daughters of Sir Charles Abraham Elton. Her father became an author after his miltary career and was a friend of Charles Lamb and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. In 1841 she married William Henry Brookfield. She organised a literary salon where William Makepeace Thackeray and Alfred Tennyson were visitors. She developed an intimate friendship with Thackeray. Almost certainly their relationship was platonic although she was probably the love of his life. Her own marriage wasn't easy but after she had a son in 1853 there was more distance between her and Thackeray. After Thackeray's early death in 1863 she was frequently in contact with his two daughters. Thackeray used her character in some of his novels and later in life she authored four novels herself: "Only George" (1868), "Not Too Late" (1868), "Influence" (1871) and "Not A Heroine" (1873). She had three children. Her son Arthur (1853-1940) wrote five novels and her son Charles (1857-1913) became an actor. She died in 1896 in London. Family • Husband: Brookfield, William Henry (1841-1874) Related persons • was a friend of Thackeray, William Makepeace Events |
| 12/6/1850 | Dinner Party for Charlotte Brontė at the home of William Makepeace Thackeray. Thackeray was exited to meet 'Jane Eyre herself'. He had also invited the author Mrs Crowe and Mrs Anne Procter. His friend Jane Brookfield was also present. Charlotte came with her publisher George Smith. Thackeray foolishly adressed her as Currer Bell but she immediately responded that she saw no connection between herself and the author Currer Bell. Charlotte was far too shy for brilliant conversation and the dinner was a bit of a disappointment for those who were present. [Brontė, Charlotte][Thackeray, William Makepeace] |
| Images | |
 The grave of William Henry Brookfield and Jane Octavia Brookfield at Kensal Green Cemetery, London. Picture by Androom (02 Aug 2019) |
 The grave of Jane Octavia Brookfield at Kensal Green Cemetery, London. Picture by Androom (02 Aug 2019) |
Sources • Jane Octavia Brookfield - Wikipedia |
