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Gentlemen of Uncertain Fortune: How Younger Sons Made Their Way in Jane Austen's England
Gentlemen of Uncertain Fortune: How Younger Sons Made Their Way in Jane Austen's England
Gentlemen of Uncertain Fortune: How Younger Sons Made Their Way in Jane Austen's England
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Gentlemen of Uncertain Fortune: How Younger Sons Made Their Way in Jane Austen's England

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A history of younger sons in Regency England and how these “spares” supported themselves: “Illuminates the hard facts with vignettes of actual lives lived.” —The Spectator

In Regency England the eldest son usually inherited almost everything—while his younger brothers, left with little inheritance, had to make a crucial decision: What should they do to make an independent living?

Historian Rory Muir weaves together the stories of many obscure and well-known young men of good family but small fortune, shedding light on an overlooked aspect of Regency society. This is the first scholarly yet accessible exploration of the lifestyle and prospects of these younger sons.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateOct 14, 2019
ISBN9780300249545

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Muir is more know for his military histories but this is also an excellent history as well. The reference to Jane Austen is used in two ways. One refers to the boys of the Austen family who went into various careers which fits nicely into the scope of the book. The other refers to some of the characters in her novels. Muir does go far beyond just Jane Austen's world, using many studies and personal histories to explore the opportunities for those younger sons who were not to inherit the family money and/or title. It is an interesting look at society and professions in the late 1700s and early 1800s in England and beyond. Very much recommended.

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Gentlemen of Uncertain Fortune - Rory Muir

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