Was Mr. Brocklehurst Based on a Real Person?

Jane Eyre fans remember Mr. Brocklehurst, an underrated villain from Victorian literature. But did you know Mr. Brocklehurst was inspired by a real person?

A Line Drawing of the William Carus Wilson from “The Children’s Friend.” (Source: Wikipedia; public domain.)

Mr. Brocklehurst Came From Charlotte Brontë’s Childhood

When the book Jane Eyre came out, Reverend William Carus Wilson recognized himself in the book as one of the book’s most memorable villains: Mr. Brocklehurst, the harsh (and hypocritical) head of Lowood School.

If I read a new novel and recognized myself as the hypocritical reverend who caused the death of little girls through neglect, I’d pray to God for forgiveness and guidance. Carus Wilson considered a lawsuit. (Full details of this did not come to light until letters were found and put up for auction in 2006!)

This was avoided only because Charlotte Brontë sent an apology to Carus Wilson. In this letter, she told him that she had used “literary license” to portray an exaggerated version of the school. She told him he could publish it, and for whatever reason, he chose not to do so.

So why did the good reverend recognize himself in this novel? When she was eight, Charlotte Brontë was sent to Cowan Bridge School (also known as the Clergy Daughters’ School), which was founded by Carus Wilson. Harsh and humiliating treatment. Bullying. Severe cold. Terrible…