By Laine Wood
JASNA-NC met on December 12, 2021, to learn about and discuss a paternal cousin of Jane Austen—Elizabeth Hancock de Feuillide Austen. Chapter members Gisele Rankin and Sue Scott co-hosted the discussion.
Eliza’s life story was told through a series of eight themes, all of which were informed by personal letters in the Austen family collection via Dierdre Le Faye’s excellent work, as well as monographs such as Jane Austen: A Life by Claire Tomlin. There is little doubt over the impressions made by the elder Eliza on Cousin Jane, as well as the inspirations and impact the former had on the latter’s works.
Eliza seemed to live in a liminal space that spanned three worlds: her family situation concerning her parents, including speculation as to who her biological father may have been; her life in high society while the wife of a faux French comte; her life as a mother and, later, wife to Austen’s brother Henry.
The mysterious and “outlandish” Eliza used this liminality to eschew some of the more difficult and heartbreaking losses in her life: she lost her father, Tysoe Saul Hancock, by age fourteen; her first husband, the Comte Jean-Francois Capot de Feuillide, was guillotined during the French Revolution; her son, Hastings, was “severely disabled” and died in adolescence; and she lost her closest friend and relation—her mother—to cancer. So close were she and her mother that it was noted that Eliza seemed to count the loss of her mother as being greater than the losses of her father, husband, and son combined. Throughout her life, there were frequent episodes where finances were poor and the concern of being financially stable and able to provide was pervasive. These difficult situations enabled Eliza to put on a front for the benefit of those she kept company with and feed the intrigue surrounding her.
Eliza was described as “outlandish,” a “rake,” and “frivolous” to most, as that was the public face she put on; however, a more sensible, business-like Eliza is revealed in letters to attorneys and trustees. She reveals herself to be a doting, caring mother to her only child, as well as an amiable personality to family and friends alike. This duality in her personality elucidates the idea that her personality and approach to life were centered on the consistent difficulties she experienced and how she chose to process those events.
Members commented on recognition of Eliza’s influence in Austen’s works. It was noted that Eliza’s love for home theatricals likely inspired events in Mansfield Park. It was also noted that glimpses of Eliza are seen in Lady Susan and Love and Freindship, and that Eliza may have even inspired the character Mary Crawford. Jane even dedicated Love and Freindship to “Madame la Comtesse De Feuillide.” As Eliza’s life events and relationship with Jane and the rest of the Austen family were revealed, it was apparent that Jane was most impressed with her cousin—and the feeling was mutual—and she honored that bond by using Eliza as her muse and inspiration on many occasions throughout her works.
In Other News
Besides the most excellent presentation from Sue and Gisele, we celebrated our annual change in leadership.
Many thanks to Sue Scott, who is leaving the Treasurer role. Over the years, Sue has also filled many other roles, including Regional Coordinator (multiple times).
Thanks also to Erin Handly, who was our inaugural Virtual Book Club facilitator. We wish her well in her move to Pennsylvania and look forward to her continuing participation with us via Zoom.
The 20 voting members in attendance during this part of the meeting unanimously elected the following leadership slate:
- Co-Regional Coordinators: Sara Tavela and Karin Wiberg. (Karin will stay in this role for a transition period, then hand it off to Sara completely.)
- Treasurer: Daniel (Dan) Read. (Sue will transition management of this role to Dan.)
- Social Media: Katie Allen and Mayra Garcia Mastin. (Thanks for continuing the good work!)
- Janeite-at-large: Gisele Rankin. (Thanks for the ongoing support!)
As part of the RC role, Sara will coordinate the Virtual Book Club and the various volunteer facilitators (currently Jessica Richard, Mary Jane Curry, and Nancy Martin-Young).
Thank you to all the volunteers, past and present, for your contributions to JASNA-North Carolina!