Literary Contemporaries:
* Writers:
* Sir Walter Scott: Leading romantic novelist known for historical fiction like "Ivanhoe."
* William Wordsworth: Romantic poet, whose work Austen likely found sentimental.
* Samuel Taylor Coleridge: Romantic poet known for "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner."
* Lord Byron: Romantic poet and controversial figure, whose writing Austen might have found too sensational.
* Percy Bysshe Shelley: Romantic poet, whose work challenged social norms, potentially resonating with Austen's themes.
* Mary Shelley: Author of "Frankenstein," whose Gothic themes were prevalent in the era.
* Ann Radcliffe: Popular Gothic novelist whose work Austen likely read.
* Horace Walpole: Pioneer of the Gothic novel with "The Castle of Otranto."
* Fanny Burney: Another popular female novelist whose work Austen likely admired.
* Maria Edgeworth: Irish novelist whose work often focused on social commentary and realistic portrayals of Irish life.
* Susan Ferrier: Scottish novelist known for her satirical works about society and marriage.
* Charlotte Smith: A prolific poet and novelist whose work explored themes of social injustice and the plight of women.
* Joanna Baillie: Playwright and poet whose work addressed social and political issues.
* Playwrights:
* Richard Brinsley Sheridan: Playwright known for satirical comedies like "School for Scandal."
* Oliver Goldsmith: Playwright and novelist known for works like "She Stoops to Conquer."
Other Contemporaries:
* Philosophers:
* Immanuel Kant: German philosopher whose work influenced English Romanticism.
* Jean-Jacques Rousseau: French philosopher whose ideas about nature and individual freedom were influential.
* Edmund Burke: Irish philosopher and politician whose writings on conservatism challenged Enlightenment thought.
* John Locke: English philosopher whose writings on natural rights and limited government were influential during the Enlightenment.
* Political Figures:
* Napoleon Bonaparte: French emperor whose rise to power and wars had a significant impact on Europe.
* King George III: British monarch during Austen's lifetime.
* Social Figures:
* The Regency Period: The time period (1811-1820) in which Austen lived and wrote, characterized by social change, economic growth, and a focus on fashion and entertainment.
* The Rise of the Middle Class: The growing economic power and influence of the middle class during Austen's era.
It's important to remember that while these are just some examples, Austen was exposed to a vast array of artistic and intellectual movements that shaped her work. Her writing reflects a unique blend of wit, realism, and social commentary, influenced by the era in which she lived.