In 1775 a girl was born in a small Hampshire village. As a teenager, she began to write stories, little dreaming that one day her writings would be beloved around the world, turned into popular movies and TV adaptations, sequelled, prequelled, adapted in a myriad of ways, and studied in schools and universities globally.

Why are her novels so adored, in what ways did she change literary history, where in the world does one find Jane Austen societies, and why do readers go back to her books again and again?

Susannah Fullerton, OAM, FRSN, is in Canberra to lead a literary and art tour with ASA Cultural Tours. Long-time President of the Jane Austen Society of Australia, author of books about Jane Austen and leader of tours to places associated with Jane Austen, Susannah will speak about her favourite novelist and the extraordinary legacy that makes her the world's favourite female novelist 250 years after she was born.

Attend in person

Entry to this event is free but bookings are essential.

Watch online

The conversation will also be available online. Please make a booking and we will send you a direct link to the livestream event via email. Or you can join through the Library's YouTube channel.

About Susannah Fullerton

Susannah Fullerton

Susannah Fullerton, OAM, FRSN, is a leading authority on 19th and 20th-century writers with a special interest in Jane Austen. She brings to life the lives and writings of great writers in her fascinating round of entertaining talks and leads literary tours around the world with ASA Cultural Tours. She has been President of the Jane Austen Society of Australia, the largest literary society in the country, for over 25 years.

She is also Patron of the Kipling Society of Australia, a founding member of the NSW Dickens Society and of the Australian Brontë Association. She is a Lady Patroness of the International Heyer Society.

Susannah’s latest book is Great Writers & the Cats Who Owned Them (2025).