Jane Austen Quotes: Is Darcy For Real?

(For this article, 'Jane Austen Quotes' and actual lines from the novel to increase traffic)

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” - Pride and Prejudice

The man, described in the opening line of Jane Austen’s classic fiction “Pride and Prejudice”, may be based on a real person. The identity of dreamy Fitzwilliam Darcy, or simply Mr. Darcy, bear resemblances to a real British aristocrat by the name of John Parker, first Earl of Morley, according to the book about sex scandals in England during the 19th century entitled “Through the Keyhole”.

The author of the book, historian Dr. Susan Law, said in an interview with The Telegraph, that she considered several diary entries and various letters in order to get uncover the man behind Mr. Darcy. The author claims that Jane Austen knew the Earl through the latter’s second wife,Frances, and Henry, Austen’s brother, who knew Parker in college.

"It is clear that Jane Austen had very close links with the family. She sent Frances one of the first editions of Emma - when she only had 12 printed,” the author said. It was even believed that “Pride and Prejudice” was written by Frances, at the time when Austen released it anonymously.

“Mr. Darcy soon drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien...the ladies declared he was much handsomer than Mr. Bingley, and he was looked at with great admiration for about half the evening…” -Pride and Prejudice

In “Pride and Prejudice”, Mr. Darcy was often described as handsome, charming, but had questionable manners. Such is the case with John Parker, as well. The young Earl was reportedly involved in a sex scandal in 1809 that led to a divorce and an illegitimate son.

However, Law cannot be “100 percent” sure whether Mr. Darcy is based on Parker, as there was no concrete evidence that would link the two men with each other.

"It can be very frustrating and it is like trying to piece together a jigsaw. It has been fascinating and I have been longing to find that cast iron bit of evidence,” Law said in an interview with The Telegraph. Although she can’t be sure, the author said she is “pretty convinced” with what she had discovered.

For years, Jane Austen fans have speculated as to who the real Mr. Darcy is. Aside from John Parker, Thomas Lefroy, rumored lover of Austen, and Dr. Samuel Backall, a fellow of Emmanuel College that Austen met while on vacation.

Incidentally, Mr. Darcy may not be the only work of of fiction that is inspired by the Earl. John Parker’s indiscretion may have inspired the plot of another classic novel, “Mansfield Park”, according to Lee.

Regardless of the authenticity of Law’s claims, “Through the Keyhole: Sex, Scandal and the Secret Life of the Country House” make for some interesting gossip over some tea and scones.