Jane West (aristocrat)

Jane West (1758 – 1852) was an English novelist, poet, and writer of conduct books. Born Jane Iliffe in London, she married Thomas West, a farmer, in 1783. While her husband managed the farm, West established herself as a successful author, publishing numerous works aimed at improving the moral character of the middle and upper classes.

Her novels, often didactic in nature, explored themes of social responsibility, domestic virtue, and the importance of education. Notable works include "The Gossip's Story" (1796), "A Tale of the Times" (1799), "The Advantages of Education" (1803), "Letters to a Young Man" (1808), and "Ringrove; or, Old Fashioned Notions" (1827).

West's writings reflected her conservative social and religious views, advocating for traditional gender roles and the maintenance of social order. She often critiqued the perceived excesses and frivolity of fashionable society, promoting instead a life of piety, industry, and domestic contentment. Her work enjoyed considerable popularity during her lifetime and contributed to the broader discourse on manners and morals in late 18th and early 19th century England.