Jane Austen’s legacy: in conversation with Gill Hornby

Join Sunday Times bestselling author, Gill Hornby in conversation about all things Austen including the inspiration behind her Jane Austen trilogy of books, and the important role of Cassandra Austen in Jane’s life and legacy.

This in-conversation event will take place at The National Archives in Kew. The event will last approximately one hour and will be followed by a book signing and a chance to visit our Love Letters exhibition featuring the will of Jane Austen. A pop-up bar will be open for visitors to purchase drinks and snacks before the talk starts.

Discover more about our free exhibition, Love Letters, open until Sunday 12 April 2026.

Gill Hornby is the author of The Hive and All Together Now, as well as The Story of Jane Austen, a biography of Austen for younger readers.

Her subsequent novels, Miss Austen and Godmersham Park were Sunday Times bestsellers, and Miss Austen is a four-part BBC adaptation starring Keely Hawes as Cassandra Austen. She is also the President of the Jane Austen Society.

Image credit: Lezli Rose