Jane Austen & Dido Belle: A Visit with Renata Dennis
January 5, 2024
In Episode 7 of Austen Chat, we're delighted to bring you a lively interview with JASNA member Renata Dennis on the fascinating story of Dido Belle, a woman of color caught between two identities. The daughter of an enslaved woman and a British naval officer, Dido was raised as a gentlewoman in the household of William Murray, Earl of Mansfield and Lord Chief Justice of the Court of the King's Bench. Until recently, she was lost to history. Might she have been the inspiration for Miss Lambe in Sanditon? Renata shares her thoughts on that as well!
Renata Dennis is a clinical research nurse at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. She has been a JASNA member since 2008 and currently serves as the regional coordinator for the Georgia Region. She is also a member of JASNA's Board of Directors and chair of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee.
Many thanks to Renata for appearing as a guest on Austen Chat!
Listen to Episode 7
Listen to the interview or read the transcript and show notes on our Episode 7 webpage, or stream the episode on your favorite podcast app. Austen Chat is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and other streaming platforms.
