Charlotte Bronte

Date of Birth: April 21, 1816

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: March 31, 1855

Biography

Charlotte Brontë was an English novelist and poet, born on April 21, 1816, in Thornton, West Yorkshire, England. She was the third of six children of Patrick Brontë, an Irish Anglican clergyman, and Maria Branwell Brontë. After the death of her mother in 1821, Charlotte and her siblings were largely raised by their strict but loving aunt, Elizabeth Branwell. Charlotte’s early education took place at the Clergy Daughters’ School at Cowan Bridge, which provided the inspiration for the harsh Lowood School in her famous novel “Jane Eyre.” The Brontë children created imaginary worlds and wrote stories and poems, developing their literary talents from a young age. In 1846, Charlotte and her sisters Emily and Anne self-financed the publication of a collection of poems under the pseudonyms Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell. Although the book was not a commercial success, it paved the way for their subsequent novels. Charlotte published “Jane Eyre” in 1847, which received immediate acclaim for its innovative narrative style and complex characters. Her other notable works include “Shirley” (1849) and “Villette” (1853). Charlotte married Arthur Bell Nicholls, her father’s curate, in 1854. Unfortunately, she died on March 31, 1855, at the age of 38, possibly due to complications from pregnancy.

5 Interesting Facts about Charlotte Bronte

1. Charlotte Brontë originally published her works under the pseudonym Currer Bell to avoid the prejudice against female authors.

2. “Jane Eyre” was initially rejected by several publishers before it found success.

3. Charlotte outlived all her siblings, witnessing the deaths of her sisters Emily and Anne, as well as her brother Branwell.

4. She served as a teacher and governess before becoming a successful novelist.

5. Charlotte was only 4 feet 9 inches tall.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Charlotte Bronte

1. “I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.”

2. “Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity, or registering wrongs.”

3. “I would always rather be happy than dignified.”

4. “Crying does not indicate that you are weak. Since birth, it has always been a sign that you are alive.”

5. “The human heart has hidden treasures, In secret kept, in silence sealed; The thoughts, the hopes, the dreams, the pleasures, Whose charms were broken if revealed.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Charlotte Brontë’s highest net worth is difficult to estimate in modern terms, but she earned a modest income from her novels, particularly “Jane Eyre,” which was a commercial success during her lifetime.