Jane Austen (1775-1817) was a 19th century English novelist, now regarded as one of the most important figures of English literature. Born into a family on the lower end of the English landed gentry, biographical details of Austen's life are scarce. Austen had six brothers—James, George, Charles, Francis, Henry, and Edward—and a beloved older sister, Cassandra. Much of Austen's correspondence was destroyed or heavily censored by her relatives after her death, resulting in a limited picture of her life. Austen produced six novels, two unfinished works, several shorter pieces of fiction, and three volumes of Juvenilia during her life. Several of her works were published posthumously following her death at age 41 in 1817.