Disir
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- Sep 30, 2011
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A new theory has emerged that iconic author Jane Austen was almost totally blind by the end of her life, possibly as a result of being poisoned by arsenic.
The legendary author, who wrote the literary classics Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Mansfield Park, died in 1817 at just 41 years of age.
Now tests on three pairs of Austen's glasses that have been handed down through generations reveal that her eyesight worsened significantly as she grew older.
Austen even referenced her frustration at her poor eyesight in several letters.
Sandra Tuppen, lead curator of Modern Archives & Manuscripts 1601-1850 at the British Library, suggested as much in a blog post late last week.
"The variations in the strength of the British Library's three pairs of spectacles may indeed give further credence to the theory that Austen suffered from arsenic poisoning, albeit accidental."
New theory reveals author Jane Austen may have died from arsenic poisoning - Entertainment - NZ Herald News
That's interesting but there are already arguments against it.
The legendary author, who wrote the literary classics Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Mansfield Park, died in 1817 at just 41 years of age.
Now tests on three pairs of Austen's glasses that have been handed down through generations reveal that her eyesight worsened significantly as she grew older.
Austen even referenced her frustration at her poor eyesight in several letters.
Sandra Tuppen, lead curator of Modern Archives & Manuscripts 1601-1850 at the British Library, suggested as much in a blog post late last week.
"The variations in the strength of the British Library's three pairs of spectacles may indeed give further credence to the theory that Austen suffered from arsenic poisoning, albeit accidental."
New theory reveals author Jane Austen may have died from arsenic poisoning - Entertainment - NZ Herald News
That's interesting but there are already arguments against it.