JASNA

Vision

Because literature has the power to change and enrich our lives, we want to see more people reading the great authors, with special emphasis on Jane Austen.

Mission

Our mission is to foster among the widest number of readers the study, appreciation, and understanding of Jane Austen’s works, her life, and her genius.

History

JASNA was founded in 1979 by Joan Austen-Leigh, Henry G. Burke, and J. David Grey. One hundred Janeites attended the society’s inaugural dinner, October 5, 1979, at the Gramercy Park Hotel in Manhattan. The event was covered by The New Yorker magazine in a “Talk of the Town” item, which began, “Some people who like Jane Austen got together the other evening...” The society’s ranks have grown considerably in the past quarter century, but its collegiality and purpose remain the same.

The Jane Austen Society of North America is dedicated to the enjoyment and appreciation of Jane Austen and her writing. JASNA is a nonprofit organization staffed by volunteers, with approximately 4,000 members and over 60 regional groups in the United States and Canada. Its members, who are of all ages and from diverse walks of life, share an enjoyment of Austen’s fiction and the company of like-minded readers.

Membership in JASNA is open to everyone who shares an interest in Jane Austen. We welcome your participation in JASNA’s activities, conferences, and regional groups.

For more information about JASNA and to enjoy the vast website resources offered, visit:

Jane Austen Society of Northern America

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