On October 30, 1811, Sense and Sensibility was published by Thomas Egerton in London. Austen was 35 years old when this first novel of hers hit the shelves. The novel was originally titled Elinor and Marianne before Jane sent her manuscript to a publisher only to receive little to no feedback. She turned around and made extensive revisions to bring us the novel we have today and read in this class. Jane did not put her name on the finished product, penning "By a Lady" on the title page, an alias later used to promote the sales of Pride and Prejudice once Sense and Sensibility experienced critical acclaim. Austen eventually, "cleared £140 from the [novel's] first edition, equivalent to £9,000 or more today" (Cavendish). 

Cavendish, Richard. “Publication of Sense and Sensibility 'By a Lady'.” History Today, 10 Oct. 2011, https://www.historytoday.com/archive/publication-sense-and-sensibility-%...'s%20Sense%20and%20Sensibility,Egerton%20on%20October%2030th%2C%201811.&text=Jane%20Austen%20was%2035%20when,six%20years%20left%20to%20live.