It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen didnt die of natural causes, but rather from arsenic poisoning. At least, that is the opinion of the crime writer Lindsay Ashford, who extensively researched the subject upon the release of her book The Mysterious Death of Jane Austen. True, Jane Austens death at the age of 41 has been cause of much speculation. Most of her life was marred by bouts of serious illness. Her final year saw a dramatic deterioration in her condition. Various posthumous diagnoses have been put forward in recent years, suggesting bovine tuberculosis, Addisons disease, and Hodgkins lymphoma as her cause of death. Yet Ashford instead prefers the notion of arsenic poisoning. She believes Austens deteriorating condition could be attributable to the effects of arsenic, a poison often prescribed by early 19th century doctors to treat various conditions. Tests later carried out on a lock of Austens hair corroborate her idea that arsenic was in her system when she died. Yet Ashford doesnt rule out the possibility that murder was the true cause of death. She cites possible familial disharmonies as motive for her murder. Of course this is all explored (fictitiously) in her novel The Mysterious Death of Jane Austen. A cynic could suggest this was just one big advertising campaign designed to boost book sales.
