Ramsgate is a real city and seaside resort in Kent mentioned in Jane Austen's novels Pride and Prejudice and Mansfield Park. The city had a mixed reputation during Jane Austen's lifetime as profligate, yet quiet,[1] both of which are represented.
In the Novels[]
Pride and Prejudice[]
Fitzwilliam Darcy sent his sister Georgiana to stay in Ramsgate the summer before the novel begins. Georgiana was placed under the care of Mrs. Younge, who unbeknownst to Darcy was acquainted with George Wickham and encouraged a courtship between him and her charge. Darcy's unexpected arrival ruined their plans to elope, and he terminated Mrs. Younge's employment and took Georgiana back with him.
Mansfield Park[]
Tom Bertram visited Ramsgate for a week last September, staying with his friend Sneyd in Albion Place. He embarrassed Miss Sneyd by paying attention to her sister Augusta, and not her, because he didn't realize Augusta wasn't out for another six months.