Charlotte Brontë's first novel which was written in 1846, and was rejected for publication every time it was sent; but when Smith, Elder, and Co. read the novel, they were impressed with it, but said that a longer novel, in three volumes, would be preferable, and that they would consider such a work if it was presented to them. This caused her to create Jane Eyre. Unfortunately the Professor remained unpublished until 1857, two years after Charlotte's death.

The Professor is told through the point-of-view of William Crimsworth, the only male narrator that Charlotte used. He leaves his Yorkshire home and goes to Belgium. This novel, as well as Villette, was based on Charlotte's own experiences in Belgium where she studied at the Pensionant Heger.


"The middle and latter portion of The Professor is as good as I can write," proclaimed Brontë. "It contains more pith, more substance, more reality, in my judgment, than much of Jane Eyre".