Remembering Patrick Stokes, Admiral Charles Austen’s great great grandson

Patrick Stokes, a great great nephew of Jane Austen and a direct descendant of her naval brother, Charles, died early on Christmas morning, 2023, at his home in Bridport, Dorset, England, aged 80. Trained as a chemist, Patrick had a successful international career in business. Among lovers of Jane Austen’s novels, he will be remembered for his initiatives to promote her literary legacy.                    

Fig.1: “Halifax,” by Lt Herbert Grey Austen, 1848. [2]

Fig 2: Publication from the Halifax Conference 2005. [3]  

 Patrick had a talent for gathering people together for literary purposes. He spearheaded and organized four highly successful international conferences attended by members of the Jane Austen Society UK (JAS), the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) and the Jane Austen Society of Australia (JASA). These conferences took place in Bermuda (2000 and 2010) and in Halifax, Nova Scotia (2005 and 2017). The locations were apt choices as Jane Austen’s brothers, Francis and Charles, had both served in North American waters during their naval careers.[1]

Fig. 3: Plenary Speakers at the 2014 JASNA AGM.

In addition, for eighteen years Patrick organized and directed the highly popular annual JAS conferences in the UK, maintaining the tradition of choosing places associated with Jane Austen, her writings, her family and the period in which she wrote.  

Patrick’s leadership in these matters was marked by professionalism, hard work, and humour. Those who had the good fortune to attend any of his conferences remarked favourably on the interesting speakers and the attractive settings with historic connections. They spoke warmly of the convivial spirit of the gathering, the fine food,  and the pleasure of talking about Jane Austen in good company. The success of these ventures was in large part due to Patrick’s personality. He was charming, gregarious and made people feel welcome.

Patrick was also a memorable speaker about the Georgian Royal Navy.

Fig. 4: Patrick presenting at the Halifax Conference 2017.

He was a keynote speaker at the JASNA AGM in Montreal, 2014, and subsequently talked to JASNA Regions in the United States and Canada as well as in the UK. Patrick had a fine feel for the dramatic on such occasions, arriving with panache in the costume of an Admiral’s dress uniform of the period. His witty presentations amused and delighted his audiences.

Fig. 5: Patrick as an ‘Admiral’, Halifax, June 2017.

Patrick also displayed his acting skill when he was recruited to take part in Syrie James’s short play, “Dangerous Intimacy: Behind the Scenes at Mansfield Park,” which was performed at the 2014 JASNA AGM. He delivered a vigorous portrayal of the Prince Regent. In addition,  participants in a JASNA summer tour to England will remember meeting Patrick on location at Lyme Regis. Who else could read so well the dramatic passages from Persuasion where Austen describes Lousia Musgrove’s disastrous fall on the Cobb at Lyme?

Fig. 6 : The novel Persuasion and Lyme.

Fig. 7: On location on the Cobb, Lyme.

Patrick rendered further service to JAS as Chair of the Society, beginning in 2004 for a five year term. Afterwards and ever willing to be helpful, Patrick took on the task of ensuring sufficient seating was available for JAS AGMs, which at the time took place in a tent on the grounds of Chawton House. With a twinkle in his eye and typical Patrick humour, he was happy to report that he was still a chairman, but now best described as a chair-man!

Fig. 8: Portrait of Captain Charles Austen in the 1840s.

Patrick was keen to promote Jane Austen to the world, to encourage new readers, to offer support to those researching her works, her life and family. It was in this context that I first met Patrick. While exploring the life and times of Fanny Palmer, Charles Austen’s young wife, Patrick’s knowledge, interest, and encouragement was a gift beyond expectation. I am very grateful for his permission to include in my book, Jane Austen’s Transatlantic Sister: The Life and Letters of Fanny Palmer Austen,[4] reproductions of several Austen family artefacts in his possession, including a fine oil portrait of his great great grandfather, Charles, in later life.

I count myself very fortunate to have known Patrick. Along with wit and charm, he had a hugely generous heart and endearing spirit. His unique gift was to make everyone he met feel significant and important. Patrick will be greatly missed in the Jane Austen world and far beyond.

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[1] Charles served as a commander (1804-1810), flag captain to his Commander- in - Chief, Admiral Warren (1810)  and frigate captain (1810-1811); Admiral Sir Francis was Commander- in - Chief of the North American and West Indies Station, 1845-1848.

[2] Lt  Herbert was a son of Admiral Sir Francis Austen and served on the North American Station with him from 1845-48. Private Collection.

[3] The cover image of Halifax Harbour is also by Lt Herbert Grey Austen. The publication was edited by Sarah Emsley and includes essays by Sarah, Peter Graham, Sheila Johnson Kindred and Brian Southam.

[4] MQUP ( 2017, 2018) 

Photo credits: Figs. 2, 3, 6, 7 : Hugh Kindred;  Thanks to Sarah Emsley for permission to use Fig. 4 and Fig.5.

Lieutenant Commander Francis Austen RN (1924-2023) : Remembering Jane Austen’s Great Great Nephew

Fig.1: Lt. Cdr Francis Austen RN (Retd)

On 23 November 2023 the Jane Austen Society UK sadly lost one of its most senior members when Francis Henry Inskip Austen died, age 99 and 7 months.[1] A direct descendant of Jane Austen’s naval brother, Admiral Sir Francis William Austen (1774-1865), the contemporary Francis was an admirer and supporter of the writing of his famous great-great aunt, Jane Austen. Francis had a notable naval career, leaving school early in 1941[2] to enlist and train for active service. He was posted into the frigate HMS Kent where he was employed during 1943-44, first as a midshipman and then as a sub-lieutenant. During this period, the Kent provided cover for convoys carrying vital supplies on the Arctic route to and from northern Russia and was party to a successful attack on a German convoy in Norwegian waters.[3] Francis retired in 1954 at the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

Francis’s life mirrored certain experiences and attitudes of his impressive forebear, Admiral Sir Francis (1774-1865). As boys, each grew up in a close and supportive clergy family. Admiral Francis was the fifth son of Rev. George Austen, and Francis, the third son of Rev. Frederick William Austen. Each was to enjoy a long life. Admiral Sir Francis died in his 93rd year, his great grandson in his 100th.

Fig. 2: Admiral Sir Francis Austen

As young men, both were patriots motivated to fight for England in times of great national threat. In readying themselves for naval service, each studied at the best naval school of the day: the Royal Naval Academy at Portsmouth for Admiral Francis (1786 to1788) and its successor, the Royal Naval College at Dartmouth, for Francis (1942).[4] During their careers, each served in North American waters: Admiral Sir Francis was Commander in Chief of the North American and West Indies Station, 1845-1848, a command which brought him to Halifax, Nova Scotia every summer when the North American squadron made its headquarter there. Almost 100 years later the then young Lieutenant Francis sailed into Halifax at least once on naval operations. Given these deployments, both naval officers became familiar with the deep and spacious Halifax harbour.

Fig.3: Halifax Harbour by Lt. Herbert Grey Austen

Fig. 5: Publication from the Halifax Conference, 2005

Though they lived in widely differing times, both men were frank in their warm admiration of Jane’s literary genius. The Admiral shared his thoughtful responses to Mansfield Park and Emma with Jane in 1814 and 1815.[5] In later life he spoke with enthusiasm about her talents and publications. The contemporary Francis talked engagingly about Jane Austen and her family. Particularly memorable were his stories about the French Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars as they affected the careers of his ancestor, Admiral Francis, and the Admiral’s younger naval brother, Charles (1779 -1852), who had also served on the North American Station from 1805-1811.

Fig. 4: Exhibition Catalogue, JAS-JASNA Bermuda meeting, May 2000

Francis Austen will additionally be remembered for his vigorous support of initiatives to further the appreciation and study of Jane Austen’s writings and times. For decades he was an active member of the Jane Austen Society UK and in 1994 he became a founding member, along with his brother Alwyn, of the Kent Branch of the Society. Francis was also central to the planning of the highly successful Millenium Meeting of the Jane Austen Society UK and the Jane Austen Society of North America in Bermuda, 2-9 May 2000. A featured theme was the connections between Bermuda and the naval careers of Jane Austen’s brothers, Francis and Charles.

Coinciding with this meeting was an exhibition highlighting the artistry of British naval officers, men who had sketched the harbours and surrounding countryside, while they were stationed in North American waters. Curated by Bermuda Archivist, Karla Hayward, and mounted at the Bermuda Maritime Museum, this unique collection included some impressive watercolours painted by Francis’s grandfather, Lieutenant Herbert Grey Austen RN. (This was the baby Herbert, born 8 November 1815, 6th son of Admiral Sir Francis, to whom Aunt Jane sent her love on 24 November).[6]

Fig.6: Francis Austen at a JAS Kent Branch Meeting, Godmersham Park. 2018.

Five years later Francis was once more a consultant and attendee at another meeting of JAS UK and JASNA with a naval connection. This conference,[7] which explored the theme of “Jane Austen and the North Atlantic,” took place, appropriately, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, since both her naval brothers, as well as Francis himself had been deployed there.

By virtue of his long life, Francis Austen had access to personal family perspectives about Jane Austen, her siblings, and the Austen family over generations. In addition, he preserved and generously shared access to Austen artefacts, such as the loan of Herbert Grey Austen’s watercolour sketches to the exhibition in Bermuda in 2000. Well into his nineties, Francis was a regular presence at Jane Austen Society AGMs each July as well as Kent Branch meetings throughout the year. He was genial, empathetic and had the gift of making people feel welcome. I consider myself fortunate to have known him.

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[1] See the British newspaper, The Telegraph, 2 December 2023.

[2] Marlborough College Register 1903-1996, 11th ed., 1997. Francis had entered Marlborough in January 1938.

[3] According to Joan Corder, Akin to Jane, 1952, Francis served on HMS Kent during 1943 and 1944. If aboard for the whole time, he was party to a variety of dangerous missions. In addition to convoying supplies to and from Northern Russia, the Kent escorted British aircraft carriers while their planes attacked airfields in Norway as well as German shipping. Later, she intercepted a German convoy and sank two freighter and five escorts. The Kent was paid off in January 1945.         

[4] Francis most likely had a lucky escape from danger and possibly death when, on 18 September 1942, German Focke-Wulf aircraft bombed the Royal Naval College. It has been suggested that this attack was planned to coincide with the day after the officer cadets would have arrived back for the start of autumn term. However, every 6 years an extra week was added to the summer term, so the autumn term started a week later than usual.  Fortunately, 1942 was one of  those years.

[5] See The Works of Jane Austen: Minor Works, ed R.W Chapman, OUP, 1954, 431, 436. The postscript to Jane’s letter no. 86, 3-6 July 1814, reveals that she discussed a naval aspect of Mansfield Park with Francis. See Jane Austen’s Letters, ed. Deirdre Le Faye, 1995, 217.

[6] She wrote to Cassandra: “I send my love to little Herbert.” See Jane Austen’s Letters, ed. Deirdre Le Faye, 1995, Letter no. 127,  299.

[7] It was organized by Patrick Stokes, a direct descendant of Vice Admiral Charles Austen.

Photo credits: Figs. 1,4,5: Sheila Johnson Kindred, Figs 2&3, Private Collection, Fig. 6: Hugh Kindred