Pride and Prejudice – and Pounds: Jane Austen’s image to grace 10 pound note after campaign

LONDON – Jane Austen will become the new face on England’s 10-pound notes — a sign that there is plenty of pride and little prejudice against women on the country’s currency.

The Bank of England chose the chronicler of 18th century English country life as the new face of the note, bowing to critics who complained that the venerable institution was ignoring women as candidates to be featured on the currency.

“Jane Austen certainly merits a place in the select group of historical figures to appear on our banknotes,” the bank’s new governor Mark Carney said Wednesday in a statement.

“Her novels have an enduring and universal appeal and she is recognized as one of the greatest writers in English literature.”