Charlotte Bronte (1816-1855), one of four surviving children of a clergyman, worked as a governess and teacher and wrote four novels.

Orphaned into the household of her Aunt Reed at Gateshead and subject to the cruel regime at Lowood charity school, Jane Eyre nonetheless emerges unbroken in spirit and integrity. She takes up the post of governess at Thornfield Hall, falls in love with Mr. Rochester, and discovers the impediment to their lawful marriage in a story that transcends melodrama to portray a womans passionate search for a richer life than that traditionally allowed women in Victorian society.