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Novelist Jane Austen to appear on £10

The author Jane Austen will feature on the new £10 notes, the Bank of England has announced.

In order to “fully represent the diversity of British people” and break a lack of female representation on the notes, the decision has been made to change the process by which figures are chosen.

The newly installed Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, said: “Jane Austen certainly merits a place in the select group of historical figures to appear on our banknotes. Her novels have an enduring and universal appeal and she is recognised as one of the greatest writers in English literature.

“As Austen joins Adam Smith, Boulton and Watt, and in future, Churchill, our notes will celebrate a diverse range of individuals who have contributed in a wide range of fields.”

The move coincides with a change to the process by which banknote characters are decided and the Bank will now review what the criteria must be for someone to feature on the currency.

A quote from Pride and Prejudice will accompany Austen’s image. It will say: “I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading!”

The Austen note will be issued as a £10 note, within a year of the Churchill £5 note, which is targeted for issue during 2016.

Mr Carney added: “We believe that our notes should celebrate the full diversity of great British historical figures and their contributions in a wide range of fields. The Bank is committed to that objective, and we want people to have confidence in our commitment to diversity. That is why I am today announcing a review of the selection process for future banknote characters.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .