Jane Octavia Brookfield (née Elton)
(1821-1896), Literary hostess and writerSitter associated with 4 portraits
Jane Elton married William Henry Brookfield, curate of St James's, Piccadilly, in 1841. She maintained an influential literary salon, which included her husband's college friend Alfred Tennyson. Jane Brookfield is chiefly remembered for her association with her husband's acquaintance William Makepeace Thackeray. The two met in 1842, and were close friends for several years. They do not appear to have had an affair, but Thackeray was warned away by Jane's cousin Henry Hallam and the relationship ended with an argument between the Brookfield and Thackeray in 1851. After Thackeray's death in 1863, Jane Brookfield wrote four novels.
Jane Octavia Brookfield (née Elton)
attributed to Sir Anthony Coningham Sterling
salt print, late 1840s
NPG P171(62)
Jane Octavia Brookfield (née Elton)
attributed to Sir Anthony Coningham Sterling
salt print, late 1840s
NPG P171(63)
Unknown woman formerly called Jane Octavia Brookfield (née Elton)
by Oscar Gustav Rejlander
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860s
NPG x26336
Jane Octavia Brookfield (née Elton)
by Oscar Gustav Rejlander
albumen print, circa 1860
NPG x139793
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