Jane Austen for £10 notes

Life


Jane Austen for £10 notes

By Stylist Team

12 years ago

Jane Austen will appear on the new £10 notes, the Bank of England has confirmed.

The author will replace Charles Darwin on the new notes, which are likely to be issued in 2017.

When it was announced in April that Winston Churchill was to replace Elizabeth Fry on the next batch of £5 notes, an online campaign was launched in a bid to prevent a long absence of any women - other than the Queen - on British banknotes.

New Governor Mark Carney announced Austen's place on the £10 note in his first day on the job:

"Jane Austen certainly merits a place in the select group of historical figures to appear on our banknotes. Her novels have an enduring and universal appeal and she is recognised as one of the greatest writers in English literature."

An image of the Pride and Prejudice author will be accompany the quote: "I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading!" from P and P character Caroline Bingley.

Adding that it was "never the Bank's intention" that none of the four banknote characters would feature a woman, it said a review has been planned for the future selection of historical figures.

As well as the online campaign, set up by The Women's Room and led by Caroline Criado-Perez, a group of 46 female MPs wrote to the Bank and the Prime Minister last month, asking the Governor to renew the decision over Fry.

However, King said at the time that the Bank was “quite determined to avoid £5 note reserved for women.”

Criado-Perez welcomed the news of Jane Austen's placement on British currency:

"We warmly welcome this move from the Bank and thank them for listening to us and taking such positive and emphatic steps to address our concerns," she said.

Words: Anna Pollitt. Images: Rex Features

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