Jane Austen was born into the middle class on December 16, 1775. She was the seventh child and second daughter of Cassandra and George Austen. She grew up in an environment where her parents emphasized the importance of learning and creative thinking. She read a lot and her family had a collection of novels. She took advantage of her family's collection and eventually became interested in writing her own works. She wrote about things that interested her and reflected on current events. These works became known as Juvenilia and occupied three notebooks. She and her older sister, Cassandra, were briefly taught by Mrs. Cawley (their teacher who also happened to be the sister of one of their uncles.) They initially lived in Oxford. , but later moved to Southampton. When the disease 'typhus' spread to Southampton and left their family in dire financial straits, Jane and Cassandra returned home and lived with their family again. Returning home, she began writing First Impressions, which is now known as her most popular play, Pride....