On 19 October 1847, the novel Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë was published under her pen name “Currer Bell” by Smith, Elder & Co. of London.

The sequences where Jane is sent to the harsh boarding school were based on Charlotte Bronte’s own experiences.

The novel has been adapted into various other media: film, TV, opera, and theatre.

The book received mixed reviews when it was first published but has stood the test of time. In 2003, the novel was ranked number 10 in the BBC’s survey The Big Read.