Births on April 21

Charlotte Brontë, Cornish-English novelist and poet (d. 1855)

Charlotte Brontë, a celebrated English novelist and poet, was the eldest of the three Brontë sisters whose extraordinary literary contributions indelibly shaped English literature. Born on April 21, 1816, her life, though marked by personal tragedy and hardship, culminated in a legacy of enduring novels that continue to captivate readers worldwide. Her works, alongside those of her sisters Emily and Anne, offer profound insights into the social constraints and emotional landscapes of Victorian England, particularly from a woman's perspective.

Early Life, Education, and the Search for Purpose

At the tender age of 14, Charlotte embarked on a more formal education, enrolling at Roe Head School in January 1831. This period provided her with an intellectual stimulus, but her stay was relatively brief. By the following year, she returned to the family parsonage in Haworth, Yorkshire, taking on the crucial role of educating her younger sisters, Emily and Anne, at home. This early experience in teaching foreshadowed a recurring theme in her own journey and in the lives of many educated women of her era: the limited avenues for independent livelihood.

In 1835, she returned to Roe Head, not as a pupil, but as a governess, a respectable yet often arduous position for women seeking financial independence. The life of a governess, often isolated and demanding, proved challenging. In 1839, she took up another governess position, this time for the wealthy Sidgwick family. However, the experience was profoundly unsatisfactory, leading her to resign after just a few months. The confines and often thankless nature of governess work were a recurring source of frustration for Charlotte, a sentiment she later explored with poignant detail in her most famous novel.

Literary Aspirations and the Haworth Parsonage

Returning to the familiar embrace of the Haworth parsonage, Charlotte, along with her sisters Emily and Anne, harbored a shared ambition that transcended the conventional roles available to women. Together, they attempted to open a school of their own, a common and respectable venture for educated spinsters. Despite their collective intellect and dedication, their efforts to attract pupils were unsuccessful, leaving them with limited prospects and a sense of unfulfilled potential. It was this pivotal moment of professional disappointment that serendipitously redirected their energies towards a different, more solitary, yet ultimately more impactful path: writing.

In a world where female authors often faced prejudice and were not taken as seriously as their male counterparts, the Brontë sisters made a collective decision to publish their works under male pseudonyms. In 1846, their individual literary voices found their first public expression in a joint volume of poetry. Charlotte adopted the name Currer Bell, Emily became Ellis Bell, and Anne chose Acton Bell. These pseudonyms were carefully chosen to conceal their gender, allowing their writing to be judged purely on its merit, free from societal biases.

The Breakthrough of 'Jane Eyre' and Public Acclaim

While their collection of poetry garnered some critical attention, it was their novels that would truly ignite the literary world. Charlotte's first novel, a work titled The Professor, faced the disheartening reality of rejection by numerous publishers. Undeterred, she pressed on, channeling her experiences and profound imagination into her second novel. In 1847, this powerful and groundbreaking work, Jane Eyre, was published. Its instant success was nothing short of a phenomenon, captivating readers with its intense emotional depth, its spirited heroine, and its revolutionary portrayal of a woman's inner life.

The critical and popular acclaim for "Currer Bell" and the other "Bell" brothers soon led to intense speculation about their true identities. By 1848, the sisters felt compelled to reveal their real names, a courageous act that sent ripples through the London literary circles. By the following year, Charlotte Brontë and her sisters were not just celebrated authors, but also figures of immense interest and admiration, finally receiving the recognition they deserved for their exceptional talent and courage in a male-dominated literary landscape.

A Brief Marriage and Untimely End

Despite her growing literary fame, Charlotte's personal life remained marked by profound loss. She was the last of her siblings to survive, having outlived Branwell, Emily, and Anne within a tragically short span. In June 1854, after a period of considerable loneliness, she married Arthur Bell Nicholls, her father's curate. This marriage brought her a measure of happiness and companionship in her final months.

Tragically, this period of contentment was short-lived. Charlotte became pregnant shortly after her marriage, a joyous prospect for the couple. However, her health rapidly deteriorated during her pregnancy. She died on March 31, 1855, just shy of her 39th birthday. The medical consensus points to hyperemesis gravidarum as the cause of death, a severe complication of pregnancy characterized by extreme, persistent nausea and vomiting, which leads to significant dehydration and weight loss. Her death, coming at a time of both personal happiness and peak literary achievement, left an indelible void in the literary world and among those who loved her.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is "Brontë" pronounced?

The name "Brontë" is commonly pronounced as "BRON-tee" (rhyming with "don't-ee").

Why did Charlotte Brontë and her sisters use male pseudonyms?

In the 19th century, female authors often faced significant prejudice and were not taken as seriously as their male counterparts. Publishing under male pseudonyms like Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell allowed them to circumvent these societal biases and have their work judged purely on its literary merit.

What was the significance of Jane Eyre?

Jane Eyre was groundbreaking for its time, presenting a strong, independent, and morally complex female protagonist who challenges societal conventions. Its focus on internal emotional life and its critique of class and gender norms made it a profoundly influential and enduring work of literature.

What was Charlotte Brontë's first novel?

Charlotte Brontë's first completed novel was The Professor. Although it was rejected by publishers during her lifetime, it was eventually published posthumously in 1857.

What was the cause of Charlotte Brontë's death?

Charlotte Brontë died on March 31, 1855, almost certainly from hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness during pregnancy that leads to excessive nausea, vomiting, and dehydration.