Jane Austen (1775-1817) was an English author known for her novels which interpret, critique and comment upon the British landed gentry at the end of the 18th century. Austen’s plots often explore the dependence of women on marriage in the pursuit of favorable social standing and economic security. Her best known works include Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park and Emma. Austen’s works are part of the transition to 19th-century literary realism, and her use of biting irony, along with her realism and social commentary, have earned her acclaim among critics and scholars.