On July 18, 1817, the world lost Jane Austen at the age of 41. While her novels continue to enchant readers, the mystery surrounding her death has remained a point of fascination for historians and medical experts alike. Despite detailed observations in her personal letters and recollections by family, the exact cause of her prolonged illness and death remains uncertain. Several well-researched theories have emerged, each drawing from 19th-century symptom descriptions and modern diagnostic frameworks.
Addison's Disease: A Classic Hypothesis
The most enduring theory, proposed in 1964 by Sir Zachary Cope, suggests that Jane Austen died of Addison's disease. This condition, involving adrenal insufficiency, can cause symptoms such as:
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Chronic fatigue
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Muscle weakness
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Gastrointestinal distress ("bilious attacks")
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Weight loss
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Skin discoloration (both dark and light patches)
These align with Austen's reported experiences. However, tubercular Addison’s, prevalent during her time, tends to progress rapidly. Austen's year-long decline casts some doubt on this diagnosis, leading some researchers to question whether Addison’s disease alone accounts for her illness.
Hodgkin's Disease: The Slow Decline
Another compelling diagnosis is Hodgkin’s disease, a type of lymphoma that affects the lymphatic system. Medical historians began to explore this theory around the same time as the Addison’s diagnosis. Austen’s intermittent fevers, fatigue, and slow but steady deterioration match symptoms of Hodgkin’s more closely than Addison’s. Unlike Addison’s, which is typically more acute in progression, Hodgkin’s disease often follows a prolonged and fluctuating course, fitting Austen’s final year more accurately.
Could It Have Been Lupus?
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a more modern hypothesis, drawing attention in recent years. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune condition characterized by:
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Periodic fevers
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Skin lesions (particularly on the face)
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Joint pain
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Fatigue
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Organ involvement
Jane Austen frequently wrote about her facial discomfort and rash-like symptoms, and the cyclical nature of her illness fits lupus’s pattern of flare-ups and remissions. Lupus could also explain her sensitivity to sunlight, another aspect of her declining health.
Other Theories (and Some Unfounded Speculation)
Several lesser-known theories have been proposed over time:
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Tuberculosis: Ruled out by the absence of respiratory symptoms.
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Brill-Zinsser disease: A form of typhus reactivation, proposed due to fatigue and temporary improvements.
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Arsenic poisoning: Based on analysis of Austen’s eyeglasses, though lacking solid evidence.
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Murder theories: Pure speculation, widely dismissed by scholars.
Conclusion: Jane Austen’s Death, An Unsolved Medical Mystery
While we may never know with certainty what caused Jane Austen’s untimely death, the most convincing modern theories point toward either Hodgkin’s lymphoma or systemic lupus erythematosus. Both offer plausible explanations for her year-long decline, her intermittent symptoms, and her strength of spirit until the end. As with much of Austen’s life, the details remain delicately veiled, adding to the intrigue surrounding this beloved literary figure.
FAQs
1. What age was Jane Austen when she died?
Jane Austen died at 41 years old on July 18, 1817.
2. What is the most widely accepted theory of Jane Austen’s death?
Addison’s disease was once the dominant theory, but modern historians now often favor Hodgkin’s disease or lupus.
3. What symptoms did Jane Austen experience?
She had fatigue, vomiting, skin discoloration, joint pain, facial lesions, and intermittent fevers.
4. Could Jane Austen have been poisoned?
Though arsenic poisoning has been speculated based on eyewear analysis, there is no strong evidence supporting it.
5. Why is it so difficult to diagnose Jane Austen’s illness?
Medical records from the 19th century are limited, and diagnosis relies on interpreting personal letters and secondhand accounts.