How do you prefer your Jane Austen heroes? Dashing? (Captain Frederick Wentworth.) Disarming? (Henry Tilney.) Discerning? (George Knightley.) Dreamy? (Charles Bingley.) Dedicated? (Fitzwilliam Darcy.) Doting? (Colonel Brandon.)
December 16, 2025 celebrates the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth and yet her men remain as appealing as when they were first written. It’s stunning to think that Jane Austen is one year older than America, and yet her stories still feel as accessible as when Sense and Sensibility, her first novel, was published in 1811.
Austen has captivated readers around the world ever since, and it’s no wonder. While she’s often given credit for popularizing romance, women’s stories, and the Regency period, she has done so much more. She revealed the patriarchal straitjacket of expectations that restrains women from independence and self-reliance with humorous satire and razor-sharp insight. Women related then, and for better or worse, we’re still relating now.
Part of the enduring appeal was that Austen really knew how to write a hero. Rather than declare the number one Austen hero — after all, dueling is outlawed these days — we asked our team for their favorite Austen book boyfriend. Opinions varied and some of our answers might surprise you. But there’s an Austen guy for everyone.
Now tell us in the comments: Who is your favorite Austen book boyfriend?
Captain Frederick Wentworth (Persuasion)
“Where are the men who yearn? Where are the men who yearn?”
Jane Austen actually invented male yearning in 1817 with the publication of Persuasion. Wentworth’s romance with Anne was designed for the kind of people who read a 500k fic tagged “slow burn” where the characters don’t hold hands until chapter 40, putting him on a level of pining that sets him apart from the rest of Austen’s love interests (sorry not sorry). Jane really said “good luck finding a man who will still pine for you eight years after you break off your engagement with him AND who will write the most romantic love letter-slash-confession in all of literature.” Truly, no one is out here doing it like Wentworth.
~ Cammy, social media strategist & visual designer
Mr. George Knightley (Emma)
I’ve never understood why so many people swoon over Fitzwilliam Darcy when George Knightley is everything a woman might want – amiable, intelligent, affectionate, patient, hard working, and easy on the eyes. He communicates beautifully, always addressing the behavior and never demeaning the person. He’s one of the kindest men in all of Austen’s universe, but doesn’t suffer fools or allow cruel behavior. And he appreciates people for who they are, not who he might wish them to be. I have two favorite depictions: in the original Regency version, Johnny Lee Miller. His Knightley has an undercurrent of passion lighting up his patience and good humor. In the modern adaptation, it’s young Paul Rudd in Clueless for the win. He’s the thinking woman’s Knightley. Someone who challenges and supports the woman he loves in equal measure. And so very cute.
~ JeriAnn, writer & editor
The safe choice would be Mr. Darcy, but I’m going to have to go with Mr. George Wickham (Pride and Prejudice). Specifically, from the 2005 adaptation.
Mr. Wickham is handsome, charming and a great conversationalist. All qualities I look for in a suitor.
When he first met our protagonist, Elizabeth Bennett, he did everything in his power to sweep her off her feet. Every woman wanted him, but he was dead-set on Elizabeth.
Or so, it seemed. Although this lovely man in uniform appears to be my respectable future husband on the outside, he is in fact a lying, manipulative a-hole who is drowning in debt.
What can I say, I love handsome liars with long hair.
I will admit that I fell for him initially! Guilty as charged.
~ Natalie, publicist & social media star
Henry Tilney (Northanger Abbey)
“He understands muslin.”
Let’s be honest, Henry Tilney may not be the swooniest of Jane Austen’s heroes, but he would certainly be the easiest for me to live with … He seems like a pretty down-to-earth kind of guy, good-humored, a good judge of character, and very understanding of things that men, in general, probably don’t care about. A man who understands fashion, can crack a joke, and who genuinely treats women well is a green flag in my books.
~ Monique, assistant editor
Mr. Darcy (Pride and Prejudice) – The Ultimate Brooding Hero
In my world, Darcy wins, hands down. He’s proud, reserved, and maybe a little socially awkward at first — but underneath it all, he’s completely devoted once he falls. He’s deeply loyal and willing to change for love. He grows, he learns, and yes, he has that brooding charm that makes readers swoon. He’s the guy who makes every other Austen hero look like a warm-up act.
And let’s be honest: Colin Firth emerging from that lake? Case closed!
~ Barbara, sales & business development
